Management of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia using a papaya banker plant system for the predator Delphastus pallidus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Authors: PARK, YOUNG-GYUN - University Of Florida; SCHOELLER, ERICH - University Of Georgia; Ahmed, Muhammad; McKenzie, Cindy; OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/17/2025
Publication Date: 12/23/2025
Citation: Park, Y., Schoeller, E.N., Ahmed, M.Z., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. Management of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia using a papaya banker plant system for the predator Delphastus pallidus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Biological Control. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105952.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105952

Interpretive Summary: Whitefly natural enemies, such as parasitic wasps and predatory beetles, have been considered relatively promising for biological control. Establishing natural enemies has been the most challenging part of implementing successful biological control programs. The papaya banker plant system uses papaya to rear the surrogate prey, the papaya whitefly (Trialeurodes variabilis), which is host specific to papaya, to deliver natural enemies. Initially this system used parasitic wasps to control the crop pest, primarily Bemisia tabaci in greenhouse vegetables and ornamental crops. We have expanded the utility of this banker plant system by incorporating a ferocious predatory beetle (Delphastus pallidus). Greenhouse experiments on poinsettia showed that the papaya banker plant system sustained beetle populations more effectively than direct release and provided longer-lasting whitefly suppression. In some instances, banker plant treatment exhibited greater pest whitefly control efficiency than insecticide application. Banker plants strategies will reduce insecticide applications and the associated risk of insecticide resistance in pest whitefly and are environmentally friendly.

Technical Abstract: The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1, is a major pest of greenhouse crops, including poinsettias, causing significant economic losses through feeding damage, honeydew production, and virus transmission. Delphastus pallidus, a specialist predator of whiteflies, has shown potential as an effective biological control agent against B. tabaci. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a papaya banker plant system in supporting D. pallidus for B. tabaci MEAM1 control in poinsettias. A three-year greenhouse experiment was conducted with four treatments: (1) a papaya banker plant system with D. pallidus, (2) direct release of D. pallidus without a banker plant, (3) chemical insecticide application, and (4) an untreated control. The densities of whitefly and predator were monitored weekly. Results showed that the papaya banker plant system sustained D. pallidus populations more effectively than direct release and provided longer-lasting whitefly suppression. In some instances, banker plant treatment exhibited greater B. tabaci control efficiency than insecticide application. These findings suggest that the papaya banker plant system enhances D. pallidus establishment, improving biological control of B. tabaci MEAM1. It would be beneficial to conduct future studies to determine whether the papaya banker plant system with D. pallidus can be applied to other crops for controlling B. tabaci as well as other invasive whitefly species and associated crops. Additionally, studying the enhancement of predator production in banker plant systems and identifying the optimal ratio of banker plants to cash crop plants would be helpful for effective biological control using the papaya banker plant system.