Project Number: 5344-22620-014-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Nov 08, 2000
End Date: Aug 31, 2005

Objective:
Develop action and economic thresholds for silverleaf whitefly; investigate whitefly physiology, biochemistry, ecology and behavior; develop whitefly cultural and biorational chemical control; identify whitefly genetic characteristics to determine new strains, marker strains, origin and geographical distribution; and determine habitat fitness, nutrition and rearing of parasites and predators.

Approach:
Sampling methods will be refined, improved, and action and economic thresholds developed. Biological and environmental data will be integrated into dynamic threshold models and incorporate cultural factors. Whitefly p hysiology, biochemistry, etc. will be investigated in relation to cotton plant insect interactions. Cultural factors such as cotton defoliation, irrigation and fertilizer will be studied to identify implementable IPM components. Genetic analysis of cotton insects will be continued to identify marker strains, geographic origin and new species possibilities. Habitat fitness and behavior of exotic and indigenous natural enemies will be studied to identify potential biocontrol agents and augmentation possibilities. Interim project for 5344-22620-010-00D (10/00).

Project Team

Henneberry, Thomas Byers, John Castle, Steven Hagler, James Chu, Chang Chi - C. C. Naranjo, Steve Blackmer, Jacquelyn

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001