Effects of selected fertilizers on the life history of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype B.

We tested the effects among a purportedly sustainable water-soluble fertilizer, a conventional water-soluble fertilizer, an alternation of these, a controlled-release fertilizer, and a clear water control on the life-history traits of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae; =Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring) biotype B reared on poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willdenow ex Klotzch). Free amino acids in petioles were measured to estimate plant nutrient assimilation and phloem nutritional quality for B. tabaci biotype B. The sustainable fertilizer produced plants with the highest concentration of amino acids. In contrast, fecundity of whiteflies was lowest in plants treated with the sustainable fertilizer and the water control. The relationship between total amino acids in phloem and survival was significantly quadratic, with the highest survival at intermediate levels. Fecundity, however, was negatively correlated with total amino acid content of the maternal host plant. Variation in total amino acid concentration in petioles of plants treated within fertilizer treatments makes it difficult to predict whether a particular fertilizer will produce plants with enough amino acids to deleteriously affect both survivorship and fecundity and yet yield a plant of good quality. Despite this limitation, we can conclude that the use of this sustainable fertilizer will not cause increases in whitefly populations relative to plants fertilized with water-soluble and slow-release fertilizers that deliver the same level of nitrogen to the plant.

Distribution and dynamics of Japanese beetles along the Indianapolis Airport perimeter and the influence of land use on trap catch.

As part of a program to minimize the accidental transportation of Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) through cargo aircraft to areas where they are not established, a 4-yr trapping project was initiated to study the relative distribution and dynamics of the beetles along a trap line around the Indianapolis International Airport. Land use influence on beetle abundance (trap catch) was assessed using a geographic information system. Trap catch was consistently high in some locations and low in others. In general, high trap catches occurred near agronomic land planted with corn or soybeans, which are both preferred hosts of adult beetles. Low trap catches generally occurred in areas lacking preferred host plants. The amount of agronomic land within 500 m of the traps was always positively correlated with trap catch. Average trap catches were highly correlated by location from year to year, indicating stability of the relative distribution of the beetles along the trap line. Because high trap catches consistently occurred in the same locations, it can be inferred that trapping can be an effective method to monitor Japanese beetle populations. Taking airport-owned agronomic land out of corn and soybean production near the cargo terminals may reduce beetle activity in these areas.