Imidacloprid and cyantraniliprole dose-response in Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Georgia

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a major pest vegetable and agronomic crop systems worldwide. In Georgia, whiteflies are primarily controlled by intensive use of insecticides, especially in high-value vegetable crops. Insecticide resistance to Neonicotinoids (IRAC Group 4A) in Florida has resulted in a shift toward greater use of Diamides (28). This study aims to contrast two insecticides, Imidacloprid (4A) and Cyantraniliprole (28), in an LC50 bioassay and determine the impact exposure has on adult mortality in Georgia. Baseline adult whitefly response data were gathered for populations collected from Florida and Georgia, which were held without insecticide exposure for over one year. On-going evaluations of dose-response are being conducted at four fixed field sites across Georgia, with populations of whiteflies being collected from cotton, pumpkin, collards, cowpeas. Also, commercial field sites with whitefly outbreaks are being tested. The goal of this study is to characterize insecticide dose-response across locations and host crops in Georgia, similar to what has been done in Florida, but also looking at crop effects on LC50 values.