Enhanced efficacy of pheromone-treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant
The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, has a diverse host range that includes many economically important crops. Plant damage and crop loss resulting from infestations of this insect pest averages >$140 million (USD) annually in the southeast U.S. and requires different management approaches. Entomopathog...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Biological Control |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964425000763 |
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| author | Jermaine D. Perier Fatma Kaplan Steven Hobbs Edwin E. Lewis Alvin M. Simmons Michael D. Toews David I. Shapiro-Ilan |
| author_facet | Jermaine D. Perier Fatma Kaplan Steven Hobbs Edwin E. Lewis Alvin M. Simmons Michael D. Toews David I. Shapiro-Ilan |
| author_sort | Jermaine D. Perier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, has a diverse host range that includes many economically important crops. Plant damage and crop loss resulting from infestations of this insect pest averages >$140 million (USD) annually in the southeast U.S. and requires different management approaches. Entomopathogenic nematodes are biological control agents targeting insect pests. The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae is particularly virulent against B. tabaci and several other insect pests with aboveground life stages. However, unpredictable efficacy limits the use of entomopathogenic nematodes in aboveground/ foliar pest management strategies. Ascaroside pheromone extracts have been shown to significantly improve the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes under field conditions that challenge their survival and efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of ascaroside pheromones on Steinernema feltiae in foliar applications against B. tabaci. Cotton plants were selected as hosts for whiteflies, and 5 ml solutions of nematodes (with and without other treatments) were used for foliar applications. Evaluations occurring through laboratory and cage trials were sampled across seven days. Exposure to the pheromone treatment resulted in higher S. feltiae efficacy as marked by higher B. tabaci adult mortality up to 79.98 % and reduced B. tabaci nymph survival down to 5.92 %. In earlier aboveground trials using entomopathogenic nematodes, Barricade® (a gel) facilitated higher efficacy by reducing the risk of desiccation. Barricade® was included in foliar applications for comparison and the gel improved entomopathogenic nematodes’ efficacy in foliar applications. This study highlights a new avenue for the foliar application of entomopathogenic nematodes with enhanced efficacy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c38d7bd6ef694c6098e70680e0e96fcf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1049-9644 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biological Control |
| spelling | doaj-art-c38d7bd6ef694c6098e70680e0e96fcf2025-08-20T02:56:09ZengElsevierBiological Control1049-96442025-06-0120510576610.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105766Enhanced efficacy of pheromone-treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvantJermaine D. Perier0Fatma Kaplan1Steven Hobbs2Edwin E. Lewis3Alvin M. Simmons4Michael D. Toews5David I. Shapiro-Ilan6Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, United StatesPheronym, Inc., Woodland, CA 95695, United StatesPheronym, Inc., Woodland, CA 95695, United StatesDepartment of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, United StatesUSDA-ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC 29414, United StatesDepartment of Entomology, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793, United StatesUSDA-ARS, SE Fruit, and Tree Nut Research Unit, Byron, GA 31008, United States; Corresponding author.The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, has a diverse host range that includes many economically important crops. Plant damage and crop loss resulting from infestations of this insect pest averages >$140 million (USD) annually in the southeast U.S. and requires different management approaches. Entomopathogenic nematodes are biological control agents targeting insect pests. The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae is particularly virulent against B. tabaci and several other insect pests with aboveground life stages. However, unpredictable efficacy limits the use of entomopathogenic nematodes in aboveground/ foliar pest management strategies. Ascaroside pheromone extracts have been shown to significantly improve the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes under field conditions that challenge their survival and efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of ascaroside pheromones on Steinernema feltiae in foliar applications against B. tabaci. Cotton plants were selected as hosts for whiteflies, and 5 ml solutions of nematodes (with and without other treatments) were used for foliar applications. Evaluations occurring through laboratory and cage trials were sampled across seven days. Exposure to the pheromone treatment resulted in higher S. feltiae efficacy as marked by higher B. tabaci adult mortality up to 79.98 % and reduced B. tabaci nymph survival down to 5.92 %. In earlier aboveground trials using entomopathogenic nematodes, Barricade® (a gel) facilitated higher efficacy by reducing the risk of desiccation. Barricade® was included in foliar applications for comparison and the gel improved entomopathogenic nematodes’ efficacy in foliar applications. This study highlights a new avenue for the foliar application of entomopathogenic nematodes with enhanced efficacy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964425000763BemisiaBiological controlEntomopathogenic nematodePheromones |
| spellingShingle | Jermaine D. Perier Fatma Kaplan Steven Hobbs Edwin E. Lewis Alvin M. Simmons Michael D. Toews David I. Shapiro-Ilan Enhanced efficacy of pheromone-treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant Biological Control Bemisia Biological control Entomopathogenic nematode Pheromones |
| title | Enhanced efficacy of pheromone-treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant |
| title_full | Enhanced efficacy of pheromone-treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant |
| title_fullStr | Enhanced efficacy of pheromone-treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhanced efficacy of pheromone-treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant |
| title_short | Enhanced efficacy of pheromone-treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant |
| title_sort | enhanced efficacy of pheromone treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant |
| topic | Bemisia Biological control Entomopathogenic nematode Pheromones |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964425000763 |
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