Attractiveness of Bemisia tabaci to different visual targets in field and lab settings

Since 2017, the whitefly population in north Florida increased to severe population densities resulting in the exacerbation of viral diseases, including tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV), Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), and Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV). The objective of this study was to identify the visual targets that are attractive to the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) B biotype to improve visual-based traps. We used a UV/VIS spectrometer to record the spectral reflectance of cucumber and tomato cultivars. In addition, we investigated B. tabaci’s preference for ultraviolet and visible spectrum LEDs in an arena in the laboratory. Adult B. tabaci showed a significant preference for some of the LEDs tested. Yellow sticky traps with different hues and possessing ultraviolet reflecting magnesium oxide improved crop yield and decreased disease incidence compared to field plots that did not contain yellow sticky traps. The attractiveness of the cucumber and tomato cultivars concerning spectral reflectance and B. tabaci response rates to visual targets in the laboratory and the field are discussed.