Efficacy of Foliar Applications of Acetamiprid and Fipronil on the Silverleaf Whitefly Under Greenhouse Conditions, 1997

Abstract

Abstract All trials were conducted in the greenhouse using Freedom Red® variety of poinsettia plants as hosts. Plants were treated using a 3-gal backpack sprayer, approximately 25 psi. No phytotoxicity was observed throughout the length of the trial. Trial 1. Groups of 10 whitefly adults were clip caged onto the undersides of the 5th newest open leaf of 40 poinsettia plants and allowed to oviposit for 6 hours. After 6 hours, adults were removed and the number of eggs counted on each leaf. Leaves with less than 10 eggs oviposited were not used in the study. Eggs were monitored until hatch and the number of immatures counted. Plants were treated when immatures were 1st to 2nd instar. Five plants were used for each of seven treatments. The number of immatures alive and dead were recorded 3, 7, and 10 days after treatment, and the percent mortality was calculated. Trial 2. Poinsettia plants naturally infested with immature whiteflies were treated with pesticides. Leaves with whitefly nymphs were selected from treated plants, five plants were sampled for each treatment. The majority of immatures on these leaves were 3rd^lth instar at time of treatment. The number of live and dead immatures present in a 3-cm-diameter circle was recorded 3, 7, and 10 days after treatment, and the percentage mortality calculated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by Fisher’s LSD separation of means (P = 0.05). Means and standard errors are reported from untransformed data.