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Effect of milbemectin on the sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabad

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Abstract

Milbemectin has a chemical structure close to the group of avermectins, which are derived fromStreptomyces avermitilis, and is considered primarily an efficient miticide. Effects of milbemectin on the sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, were investigated under laboratory and field conditions. In bioassays conducted under controlled chamber conditions, the compound affected 1st instars ofB. tabaci, resulting in a LC90 of 0.06 mg a.i. I-1. Later stage larvae were much less affected. Milbemectin is highly photodegradable in sunlight. In laboratory assays, when treated cotton seedlings were subjected to 3 h of sunlight before being exposed toB. tabaci adults, no mortality of the whiteflies was observed. Milbemectin at a concentration of 2 mg a.i. I-1 applied in combination with 0.2% ‘Ultra Fine’ mineral oil showed a residual activity of 67% adult mortality 10 days after application, whereas milbemectin alone had no appreciable activity. The effect of milbemectin on whitefly populations in a cotton field was compared with that of cypermethrin and of untreated control. Although milbemectin was not applied with mineral oil, it was more effective than cypermethrin in controlling the whitefly populations. This insecticide/miticide seems not to affect appreciably natural enemies ofB. tabaci. Milbemectin may be considered a compound with the potential for controllingB. tabaci populations. Mineral oils enhanced the potency of milbemectin on both whitefly larvae and adults.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Entomology, ARO, The Volcani Center, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel

    U. Pluschkell & I. Ishaaya

  2. Bayer AG Agrochemical Center Monheim, D-51368, Leverkusen, Germany

    U. Pluschkell

  3. Dept. of Entomology, ARO, Gilat Experiment Station, 85280, M.P. Negev, Israel

    A. R. Horowitz

Authors
  1. U. Pluschkell
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  2. A. R. Horowitz
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  3. I. Ishaaya
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Correspondence to U. Pluschkell.

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http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 27, 1999. Contribution No. 501/99 from the Inst. of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization.

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Pluschkell, U., Horowitz, A.R. & Ishaaya, I. Effect of milbemectin on the sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabad . Phytoparasitica 27, 183–191 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02981457

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