How to Use Biological Controls for Greenhouse Whitefly?

Greenhouse whitefly is a continuous threat that damages crops grown in green houses and severely affects the production. Fortunately, this pest may be controlled by biological means, which seem to be as efficient as chemical controls, and are more acceptable to the environment. This piece of writing will look at the different types of biological control means of whiteflies and the case study of a North American town where these means such as Novobac’s Beveria Wettable Powder Beauveria Bassiana Insecticide were effective. Understanding how to get rid of whiteflies naturally and tackling the disease through organic treatment for whiteflies can always be helpful.

Understanding Greenhouse Whitefly

Whiteflies are very small, winged insects that feed on the underside of the leaves on plant sap. They extrude honey dew that forms sooty mold upon accumulation, the molds in turn, affecting the quality of the plants. This is due to the reason that whitefly remain a major threat to the healthy production of crops under greenhouse environment. Knowing organic solution for whiteflies can be very useful. Whiteflies on vegetable plants can lead to the mass destruction of the crops.

Biological Control Methods for Whiteflies on Vegetable Plants

Predatory Insects

• Encarsia formosa: This small parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside the nymphs of this troublesome insect, the whitefly. The hatched larvae feed on the whitefly from inside which in turn means a decrease in their numbers. It tackles greenhouse whiteflies damage.
• Delphastus catalinae: An insect that targets whitefly eggs and Nymphs to enable reduced populations of the pest, therefore, recommended.

Pathogenic Fungi

• Beauveria bassiana: It is a naturally occurring fungus that indigenously infects and kills whiteflies. Farmers use this specific fungal species commercially for whitefly control with the product Novobac’s Beveria Wettable Powder. Novobac’s Beveria Wettable Powder contains Beauveria bassiana, a fungal insecticide proven effective for managing whitefly infestations in crops.
• It is an amazing option for whitefly pest management.

Nematodes

• Steinernema feltiae: In this case they are soil applied, but can also be foliar applied if they are in the form of microscopic worms. It infects and kills the larva of whiteflies; therefore, it is a natural means of controlling the pests.

How to get rid of whiteflies naturally using organic treatment for whiteflies?

• Identify the Problem Early: Check your plants often for whiteflies’ damage, slimy appearance on the leaves, or any indication of the secretion of honey dew.
• Introduce Biological Controls: Control tactics include the use of pheromone traps to pick early signs of infestation or the use of predatory insects or pathogenic fungi when you realize there is an infestation. It is recommended for use as follows and according to manufacturers’ applied rates and timings.
• Monitor and Maintain: Whitefly populations should be checked more often and biological controls reapplied as often as necessary. Ensure that the greenhouse environment is right for the efficiency of these natural predators and pathogens.

Implementation

•  Assessment and Monitoring: Crops were closely checked for whiteflies by greenhouse operators using yellow sticky traps and a visual check on the crop.

Introduction of Organic Solution for Whiteflies

Parasitic insects such as green lace wing, white fly and lady beetles like Encarsia formosa and Delphastus catalinae were released into the greenhouses.

When applying the appropriate treatments, Novobac’s Beveria WP and Beauveria Bassiana Insecticide was used on the involved plants. It is a type of bio-insecticide that comprises the fungus Beauveria bassiana that directly affects and kills whiteflies.

Results

Thus, the integrated application of both the predatory insects accompanied by Beauveria bassiana proved advantageous in tackling the whitefly problem. It is the best organic pesticide for whitefly that can be used in whitefly pest management. In several weeks the whitefly populations declined by more than 80% and the rewarded beneficial effects on the health and vitality of the crops in the greenhouses were evident.

Beauveria Bassiana Insecticide- Description of the function of Novobac’s Beveria Wettable Powder

Beveria Wettable Powder, by Novobac, is a biological control insecticide with fungous fungi Beauveria bassiana that well control whiteflies. Here’s how it works:

•  Mode of Action: When it reaches the whiteflies the fungus then makes its way through the exterior of their bodies, known as cuticle, and invades the insects’ body where it eventually causes the death of the insect.
•  Application: Add the powder into a container containing water and following the directions given apply the mixture on the plants with the help of a sprayer.
• Benefits: It is non-toxic to humans, our pets, and all beneficial insects, which is well suited in greenhouse IPM programs.

This case study proves that biological control is a sustainable and efficient way of ridding whiteflies from greenhouses. He suggests using predatory insects, pathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana, and nematodes so that those operating greenhouses can-control pests and diseases without the need to use chemical-control pesticides. In the article, this company from Springfield, Illinois succeeded in the usage of such methods and especially after using Novobac’s Beveria Wettable Powder Beauveria Bassiana Insecticide. This shows that, it is important to regularly monitor and act fast as a way of managing whiteflies in the greenhouse so as to promote the healthy production of crops.

References:

1. Feng, Mn G., Bin Chen, and S. H. Ying. “Trials of Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and imidacloprid for management of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on greenhouse grown lettuce.” Biocontrol Science and Technology 14.6 (2004): 531-544.
2. Olson, D. L., and R. D. Oetting. “The efficacy of mycoinsecticides of Beauveria bassiana against silverleaf whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia.” Journal of agricultural and urban entomology 16 (1999): 179-185.