Abstract
The objective of this work was to investigate the relationships between predators and parasitoids, leaf chemical composition, levels of leaf nitrogen and potassium, total rainfall, relative humidity, daylight and median temperature on the intensity of whitefly, aphid, and thrips attack on cabbage. Whitefly, aphids and thrips population tended to proliferate in the final stage of plant or reached a peak population about 40 days after plantation. The whitefly and thrips tended to increase with an increase in the median temperature. A dependence of Cheiracanthium inclusum and Adialytus spp. populations on whitefly and aphids populations, respectively, was observed. No significant effect was detected between K and nonacosane leaf content and aphid population. However, an increase in leaf N content was followed by a decrease of this insect population. No significant relation was observed between leaf N, K and nonacosane and whitefly and thrips populations. Highest nonacosane levels were observed in plants 40 days after transplant, and relative humidity correlated negatively with nonacosane. Natural enemies, especially the parasitoid Adialytus spp. and the spiders can be useful controlling agents of the whitefly and aphids in cabbage. Median temperature can increase whitefly and thrips populations.
Highlights
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata Linneu, cultivated worldwide, is attacked by pests such as whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidade), aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (Linneu)(Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
These insects weaken the plant by sucking the sap and introducing toxins into the plant’s vascular system, coating the leaf with honeydew, facilitating the growth of soot mold, and producing white streaking disorder, leaf chlorosis and leaf wrinkling
The frequency of insecticide applications is determined by the degree of damage which is heavily influenced by cosmetic considerations (Filgueira, 2000)
Summary
Capitata Linneu, cultivated worldwide, is attacked by pests such as whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidade), aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (Linneu). (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). These insects weaken the plant by sucking the sap and introducing toxins into the plant’s vascular system, coating the leaf with honeydew, facilitating the growth of soot mold, and producing white streaking disorder, leaf chlorosis and leaf wrinkling. One of the principal reasons for this extensive application is the lack of information on factors affecting insect population. Such information could facilitate the prediction of insect attack, which in turn could reduce economic losses
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