ARS | Publication request: AN ULTRASONIC FOGGING DEVICE FOR MANAGING BEMISIA ARGENTIFOLII (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE) IN GREENHOUSE VEGETABLES

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 22, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A study was conducted to determine the usefulness of an ultrasonic fogging device as a delivery system for low dosages of contact insecticides. The work targeted silverleaf whiteflies on greenhouse vegetable seedlings, and was conducted in cooperation with Strauch and Sons, Inc., Bethesda, MD. Six-minute fogging exposures were conducted on whitefly-infested collard plants. The device provided good coverage to the underside of the leaves where whiteflies feed. There was also good whitefly control at low insecticide dosages. Residue analysis indicated that a high percentage of a biorational insecticide was delivered over all the plant. The fogger provided good control of adult whiteflies on test plants with foliar imidacloprid insecticide. About 90% of the insects were killed at about a fourth of the label rate. The fogger was effective over various temperatures and humidities. A wettable powder did not work in the fogger because it clogged the machine. The fogging device is promising for managing whiteflies (and probably other insects) with low dosages of contact flowable insecticide in a greenhouse system. There is also the possibility of its adaptation for field use.

Technical Abstract: This study evaluated the usefulness of an ultrasonic fogging device as a delivery system for low dosages of contact insecticides to manage Bemisia argentifolii on greenhouse vegetable seedlings. Six-minute fogging exposures were conducted on silverleaf whitefly-infested collard plants in a plastic-covered greenhouse. The device provided good coverage to the underside of leaves, where whiteflies feed, and good whitefly control at low insecticide dosages. Residue analysis indicated that a high percentage of sugar esters from Nicotiana glutinosa was delivered over all the plant. The fogger provided good control (LD90 = 27.0 g ai/ha) of adult whiteflies on test plants with foliar imidacloprid at much lower than the label rate (112.3 g ai/ha). The fogger was effective over various temperatures and humidities. A wettable powder did not work in the fogger because it clogged the machine. The fogging device is promising for managing whiteflies (and probably other insects) with low dosages of contact flowable insecticide in a greenhouse system, and has a possibility for adaptation to field use.