Whitefly and thrips-transmitted viruses cause serious concern in vegetable production in the southeastern United States. Their management in organic production as well as conventional production is severely constrained especially with the lack of effective host resistance. Other methods including cultural and chemical only offer partial protection at best. Research over the last two years have explored the usefulness of the predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii, as a biological control agent against whiteflies and thrips and virus transmission by them in tomato and yellow squash. Amblyseius swirskii as a treatment option was examined both in the presence of virus-resistant cultivars in the case of tomato and absence of virus-resistant cultivars with yellow squash. Methods and results of these studies and their relevance in terms of effective pest management will be discussed.
