Hilgardia
Hilgardia
Hilgardia
University of California
Hilgardia

Predatory beetle may suppress silverleaf whitefly

Authors

Kevin M. Heinz
James R. Brazzle
Charles H. Pickett
Eric T. Natwick
Judy M. Nelson
Michael P. Parrella

Authors Affiliations

K. M. Heinz is Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis; J. R. Brazzle is a master's student, Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis; C. H. Pickett is Environmental Research Scientist with the Biological Control Program of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Sacramento; E. T. Natwick is Imperial County Entomology Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Holtville, California; J. M. Nelson is a doctoral student, Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis; M. P. Parrella is Professor and Chair, Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 48(2):35-40. DOI:10.3733/ca.v048n02p35. March 1994.

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Abstract

The coccinellid beetle, Delphastus pusillus, may be able to suppress the silverleaf (or strain B sweetpotato) whitefly that has infested California agriculture. Life history characteristics of this predatoi indicate that it is most effective as a biological control agent at high whitefly densities. D. pusillus releases in Imperial Valley cotton trials reduced immature whitefly densities to one-third of the densities found in cotton plots receiving no releases.

Heinz K, Brazzle J, Pickett C, Natwick E, Nelson J, Parrella M. 1994. Predatory beetle may suppress silverleaf whitefly. Hilgardia 48(2):35-40. DOI:10.3733/ca.v048n02p35
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