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Efficacy of selected botanical oils against the cassava whitefly (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) and their effects on its feeding behaviour

Amour, Massoud; Wosula, Everlyne N.; Mrisho, Latifa; Hoskins, Clare; Buss, David; Bruce, Toby; Stephano, Flora; Legg, James P.

Authors

Massoud Amour

Everlyne N. Wosula

Latifa Mrisho

Clare Hoskins

David Buss

Flora Stephano

James P. Legg



Abstract

The control of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci relies heavily on the use of synthetic insecticides. There is a need to develop alternative control strategies due to concerns about impact of these insecticides on the environmental and human health, and the threat of insecticide resistance. Botanical oil extracts could potentially be used for the management of whiteflies and other pests. The study reported here therefore aimed to evaluate the efficacy of selected botanical oils against the cassava whitefly, B. tabaci and test their effect on its feeding behaviour. Patchouli oil treatment was the most effective at repelling whiteflies in no choice and choice experiments with up to 85% of whiteflies being repelled. Oviposition was also reduced 50-89% in patchouli. Neem was found to be effective at reducing oviposition, nymph and adult emergence by 50%, 70% and 80%, respectively, in a screenhouse no choice experiment. Patchouli significantly reduced the phloem ingestion phase (E2) by 40% and potential drops (pd) by 46% compared to control plants. Neem significantly increased the non-probing duration by 48% and reduced pd by 50% compared to the control. Patchouli and neem were found to be the most effective among the selected botanical oils. These two oils should be further evaluated for efficacy under field conditions to determine suitability for recommendation as biopesticides against the cassava B. tabaci whitefly.

Citation

Amour, M., Wosula, E. N., Mrisho, L., Hoskins, C., Buss, D., Bruce, T., …Legg, J. P. (2023). Efficacy of selected botanical oils against the cassava whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and their effects on its feeding behaviour. Journal of Applied Entomology, 147(7), 473-485. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13128

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 12, 2023
Online Publication Date May 25, 2023
Publication Date May 25, 2023
Deposit Date Jun 29, 2023
Journal Journal of Applied Entomology
Print ISSN 0931-2048
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 147
Issue 7
Pages 473-485
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13128
Keywords Insect Science, Agronomy and Crop Science
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jen.13128