Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Parasitic potential of Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Phytoparasitica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (RSW) is an invasive pest found in India. A nymphal parasitoid, Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani is a potential natural enemy of RSW. Here, we evaluated the biology of RSW in four different host plants, viz., coconut, banana, sapota, and guava. In addition, we performed studies on the parasitic potential of E. guadeloupae on RSW and its biological parameters in the above-mentioned host plants. The developmental period of RSW from egg to adult stage is 36.6 days in coconut and sapota, followed by 37.9 days in banana and 38.6 days in guava. The identification of E. guadeloupae was confirmed by molecular analysis using the mtCOI gene. The parasitization percentage of E. guadeloupae was found to be higher in the second (60.60%) followed by the third nymphal stages (50.50%) of RSW. A high level of parasitism was recorded in RSW grown on guava (46.50%) and a low level in RSW grown on sapota (34.00%). Hence, the biology of E. guadeloupae was studied on the preferred nymphal stages (second and third) of RSW. The results revealed that the developmental period of E. guadeloupae was shorter (10.60 days and 11.27 days) and that of adult longevity was longer (11.10 and 12.17 days) in the third nymphal stage of RSW grown on guava and banana plants. The results suggested that the release of E. guadeloupae coincided with these stages under field conditions for effective management of RSW.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Boughton, A. J., Mendez, M. A., Francis, A. W., Smith, T. R., Osborne, L. S., & Mannion, C. M. (2015). Host stage suitability and impact of Encarsia noyesi (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on the invasive rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in Florida. Biological Control, 88(1), 61–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, D. N., & Bellows, T. S., Jr. (1991). Whitefly biology. Annual Review of Entomology, 36(1), 431–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chien, C., Chou, L., & Chang, S. (2000). Introduction, propagation, and liberation of two parasitoids for the control of spiraling whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in Taiwan. Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology, 20(3), 163–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, J. M. (1993). Inbred lines as reservoirs of sex alleles in parasitoid rearing programs. Environmental Entomology, 22(6), 1213–1216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Almeida, Y. A., Lys, J. A., Neuenschwander, P., & Ajuonu, O. (1998). Impact of two accidentally introduced Encarsia species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and other biotic and abiotic factors on the spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus (Russell) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), in Benin, West Africa. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 8(1), 163–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elango, K., & Nelson, S. J. (2020). Effect of host plants on the behaviour of rugose spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus) and their natural enemies. Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 11(1), 120–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Folmer, O., Black, M., Hoeh, W., Lutz, R., & Vrijenhoek, R. (1994). DNA primers for amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I from diverse metazoan invertebrates. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology, 3, 294–299.

  • Francis, A. W., Stocks, I. C., Smith, T. R., Boughton, A. J., Mannion, C. M., & Osborne, L. S. (2016). Host plants and natural enemies of rugose spiraling whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Florida. Florida Entomologist, 99(1), 150–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerling, D. (1990). Whiteflies: their bionomics, pest status and management. Intercept Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, J. S., Gelman, D. B., & Blackburn, M. B. (2002). Growth and development of Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae): effect of host age. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 49(3), 125–136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, V., McKenzie, C. L., Mannion, C., Stocks, I., Smith, T., & Osborne, L. S. (2013). Rugose spiraling whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). EENY578 University of Florida, IFAS Extension. Accessed 31 Dec 2013.

  • Kumashiro, B. R., Lai, P. Y., Funasaki, G. Y., & Teramoto, K. K. (1983). Efficacy of Nephaspis amnicola and Encarsia haitiensis in controlling Aleurodicus dispersus in Hawaii. Proceeding of the Hawaiian Entomological Society, 24, 261–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, L., Ali, S., & Wu, J. (2018). Influences of varying host: parasitoid ratios on parasitism of whitefly by three different parasitoid species. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control, 28(1), 59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez Avila, A. (1988). A comparative study of four species of Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) as potential control agents for Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Doctoral dissertation, Imperial College London (University of London).

  • Mandal, F. B. (2011). The management of alien species in India. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 3(9), 467–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Mani, M., Krishnamoorthy, A., & Venugopalan, R. (2004). Role of the aphelinid parasitoid Encarsia guadeloupae in the suppression of the exotic spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus on banana in India. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 14(6), 619–622

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. H. (2004). Whiteflies of Belize (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Part 1-introduction and account of the subfamily Aleurodicinae Quaintance & Baker. Moscas blancas de Belice (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Parte 1-introducción y descripción de la subfamilia Aleurodicinae Quaintance & Baker. Zootaxa, 681, 1–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mollot, G., Borowiec, N., Duyck, P. F., Glenac, S., & Quilici, S. (2016). Life-history traits of Encarsia guadeloupae, a natural enemy of the invasive spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus. Journal Applied Entomology, 140(3), 209–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montero-Pau, J., Gómez, A., & Muñoz, J. (2008). Application of an inexpensive and high-throughput genomic DNA extraction method for the molecular ecology of zooplanktonic diapausing eggs. Limnol Oceanogr-Meth, 6(6), 218–222

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NABARD. (2016). Coconut cultivation. National bank for agriculture and rural development. http://nabard.org/english/plant_coconut.aspx. Accessed 11 Nov 2016.

  • Obinna, A., Peter, N., & Korie, S. (2011). Niche separation between Encarsia dispersa and Encarsia guadeloupae, two biological control agents of the spiraling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus, in Benin, West Africa. BioControl, 56(3), 277–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan, S. K., Anshylesha, K., & Sumalatha, B. V. (2020). Comparative biology of invasive rugose spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin on three host plants. Indian Journal of Entomology, 82(3), 498–503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Core Team. (2014). R : A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna

  • Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., & Maniatis, T. (1989). Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual. (2nd ed.). Cold spring harbor laboratory press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Selvaraj, K., Gupta, A., Venkatesan, T., Jalali, S. K., Ballal, C. R., & Sundararaj, R. (2017). First record of invasive rugose spiraling whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) along with parasitoids in Karnataka. Journal of Biological Control, 31(2), 74–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selvaraj, K., Sundararaj, R., & Sumalatha, B. V. (2019). Invasion of the palm infesting whitefly, Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in the Oriental region. Phytoparasitica, 47(3), 327–332

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shishehbor, P., & Brennan, P. A. (1995). Parasitism of Trialeurodes ricini by Encarsia formosa: Level of parasitism, development time and mortality on different host plants. Entomophaga, 40(3–4), 299–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stocks, I.C., & Hodges, G. (2012). The rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, a new exotic whitefly in South Florida (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Aleurodicus rugioperculatus, pest-alert. DACS-P-01745 pdf. Accessed 7 Mar 2017.

  • Sundararaj, R., & Selvaraj, K. (2017). Invasion of rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): a potential threat to coconut in India. Phytoparasitica, 45(1), 71–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundararaj, R., Selvaraj, K., Vimala, D., & Venkatesan, T. (2020). Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) of India. In S. Ramani, P. Mohanraj, & H. M. Yeshwanth (Eds.), Indian Insects: Diversity and Science. (pp. 103–120). CRC press, Tayler & Francis group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taravati, S., Mannion, C., McKenzie, C., & Osborne, L. (2016). Oviposition preference of rugose spiraling whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on five host plant species. Florida Entomologist, 110(4), 611–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vet, L. E. M., Van Lenteren, J. C., & Woets, J. (1980). The parasite-host relationship between Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) IX. A review of the biological control of the greenhouse whitefly with suggestions for future research. Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie, 90(1–5), 26–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Viggiani, G. (1984). Bionomics of the Aphelinidae. Annual Review of Entomology, 29(1), 257–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viggiani, G. (1987). New species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), parasitoids of whiteflies. Bollettino del Laboratorio di Entomologia Agraria’Filippo Silvestri’, 44, 33–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X. S., Chen, Q. Z., Zhang, S. Z., & Liu, T. X. (2016). Parasitism, host feeding and immature development of Encarsia formosa reared from Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci on Trialeurodes ricini. Journal of Applied Entomology, 140(5), 346–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waterhouse, D. F., & Norris, K. R. (1989). Biological control Pacific prospects-supplement 1 (No. 435-2016-33676).

  • Yu, G. Y. (2011). Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of the spiraling whitefly, recorded from Hainan Island, China. Entomotaxonomia, 2, 017

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work has been funded by the DST (SERB) Govt. of India. The authors are greatly indebted to Dr. Patil Santhosh Ganapati, Assistant Professor (Agrl. Statistics) for statistical analysis.

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India-New Delhi, under grant GOI-DST (SERB)/EMR/2016/005815.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India

    M. Saranya, J. S. Kennedy & S. Jeyarani

  2. Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India

    R. Anandham

Authors
  1. M. Saranya
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. S. Kennedy
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Jeyarani
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Anandham
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

M. Saranya: conducted all laboratory experiments and drafted the manuscript.

Dr. J.S. Kennedy: conceived the hypothesis, designed the experiments, and reviewed the manuscript.

S. Jeyarani and Dr. R. Anandham: assisted in laboratory experiments and drafted the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. S. Kennedy.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

This study does not contain any experiments with human participants or animals.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Saranya, M., Kennedy, J.S., Jeyarani, S. et al. Parasitic potential of Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Phytoparasitica 49, 907–916 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-021-00928-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-021-00928-6

Keywords

Profiles

  1. R. Anandham View author profile