Squash Silverleaf Symptoms Induced by Immature, but Not Adult,Bemisia tabaci

Abstract

The causes of plant disorders such as squash silverleaf and tomato irregular ripening associated with feeding of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (B-biotype), are not well understood. Whether immatures, adults, or both cause symptoms is important to management because it determines the target of control and selection of appropriate management strategies. We measured the relative ability of adult and immature whiteflies to induce symptoms of squash silverleaf in zucchini. Plants exposed to 20 adult whiteflies for 48 h and subsequently dipped in insecticidal soap to remove immature offspring did not develop silverleaf symptoms. In contrast, all plants exposed to adults, but on which immatures were allowed to develop, showed symptoms of silverleaf [...]