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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422024
Research Project: Novel Approaches for Managing Key Pests of Peach and Pecan

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Enhanced efficacy of pheromone treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant

Author
item PERIER, JERMAINE - University Of Georgia
item KAPLAN, FATMA - Pheronym, Inc
item HOBBS, STEVE - Pheronym, Inc
item Simmons, Alvin
item LEWIS, EDWIN - University Of Idaho
item TOEWS, MICHAEL - University Of Georgia
item Shapiro Ilan, David

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2025
Publication Date: 4/9/2025
Citation: Perier, J.D., Kaplan, F., Hobbs, S., Simmons, A.M., Lewis, E.E., Toews, M.D., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2025. Enhanced efficacy of pheromone treated entomopathogenic nematodes against whiteflies in foliar applications with a gel adjuvant. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105766.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105766

Interpretive Summary: Whiteflies are major pests of various crops such as vegetables and cotton. Most control programs for whiteflies rely on heavy use of chemical insecticides. Due to environmental and regulatory concerns, alternative methods to control whiteflies are needed. Entomopathogenic nematodes (also known as beneficial nematodes) are small round worms that kill insect pests but do not harm humans or the environment. Entomopathogenic nematodes can kill whiteflies. However, the level of pest control efficacy when using these nematodes against whiteflies needs improvement. We explored the potential to use nematode pheromones to enhance control of whiteflies when using entomopathogenic nematodes. The specialized nematode pheromones have been shown to increase nematode dispersal and infectivity but they have not been tested in a whitefly system. Our result indicated the pheromones improve the ability of entomopathogenic nematodes to control whiteflies. The findings offer an novel method to control these important insect pests.

Technical Abstract: 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 USD >140 million annually in the southeast U.S. and continues to be a major problem in need of 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 insect pests with aboveground life stages. However, variability in efficacy limits the use of entomopathogenic nematodes in aboveground/ foliar pest management strategies. Ascaroside pheromone extracts have been previously shown to significantly improve the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes under field conditions that challenge their employment. 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 450 ml spray bottles (ca. 5 ml per spray) 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 and reduced B. tabaci nymph survival. In earlier aboveground entomopathogenic nematodes’ trials, Barricade (a gel) facilitated higher efficacy by reducing the risk of desiccation. Barricade was included in foliar applications for comparison. 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.