Combining Cultural Tactics and Insecticides for the Management of the Sweetpotato Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1, and Viruses in Yellow Squash

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and the complex of viruses it transmits are major limiting factors to squash production in southeastern United States. At this time, insecticides extensively relied upon for management whiteflies and, indirectly, whitefly-transmitted viruses. development a multi-faceted, integrated pest (IPM) program is needed increase sustainability profitability production. Experiments 2018 2019 evaluated effects insect exclusion netting (IEN) combination with selected pesticides on whitefly population dynamics virus incidence greenhouse-grown seedlings. Field experiments from 2021 mulch type (UV-reflective mulch, live white plastic mulch), row covers, dynamics, silver leaf disorder (SSL) intensity, symptom severity, marketable yield. IEN significantly reduced seedlings greenhouse study. In field study, lower abundance SSL as well were observed plots reflective compared or mulch. insecticide/row cover abundance, severity lowest cyantraniliprole- flupyradifurone-treated plots. covers those UV-reflective consistently produced greatest yields. These findings demonstrate that growers can reduce pressure preserve yields States by combining cultural chemical tactics, including select insecticides.