Developing sustainable methods of control: Foliar arthropods - mitigation during shipping

This portion of the research project was focused on validating previous research conducted on effective treatments for managing Bemisia tabaci (silverleaf whitefly) and Planococcus citri (citrus mealybug). The overall goals of this project were to enable growers to more effectively manage invasive arthropods such as Duponchelia fovealis (European pepper moth), eliminate pest spread, and minimize the potential for economic losses through expensive pesticide treatments or crop destruction. We conducted a screening of non-chemical, biopesticides, and conventional materials with treatments from the previous experiments conducted by collaborating researchers without phytotoxicity serving as controls. Treatments were applied 24 hours before planned shipping to uninfested plants and those infested with B. tabaci or P. citri. Treated plants and cuttings were then shipped among cooperators in California, Florida, and Hawai’i. Evaluations were made prior to shipping, upon arrival, and then at predetermined intervals. Our results suggest that applications prior to shipment can reduce pest emergence upon arrival.