Project Number: 5347-22620-018-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: May 17, 2005
End Date: May 16, 2010

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 physiology, 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 indignous natural enemies will be studied to identify biocontrol agents and augmentation possibilities. Replaces 5344-22620-014-00D (4/05). Formerly 5344-22620-018-00D (2/06).