Attraction of Sweet Potato Whitefly, <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and Two Generalist Predators to Green Leaf Volatile Compounds

Abstract

Traditionally, olfaction was thought to play a minor role in the behavioral ecology of the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). However, recent research is uncovering significant potential for whitefly management based on olfaction. Incorporating chemical attractants with standard whitefly management programs could significantly improve control. The integration of attractants with biological control is exceptionally promising. Therefore, the behavioral response of B. tabaci and two generalist predators to the green leaf volatiles (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, and (Z)-3-hexe-1-ol were investigated in Y-tube olfactometers. Three of the four green leaf volatiles resulted in the attraction of female B. tabaci. Blend optimization indicated a two-chemical blend to be the most attractive blend for female B. tabaci. In addition, this blend was attractive to female Macrolophus praeclarus (Distant) but did not elicit a behavioral response from either male or female Delphastus catalinae (Horn). The two-chemical blend of green leaf volatiles could be further developed as a lure to attract B. tabaci and its predator, M. praeclarus.

Keywords

• biotype
• lure
• management
• olfactory cues