Evaluating the efficiency of some pesticides and insect growth regulators in controlling the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on eggplant plants in the field

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of certain insect growth regulators Match (lufenuron) and Denim Fit  (lufenuron + emamectin benzoate), and Applaud (Buprofezin) and the botanical pesticide Oxymatrine in controlling the whitefly Bemisia tabaci on eggplant plants in Green houses during the 2023–2024 growing season. The study results showed that all growth regulators and pesticides reduced the number of whitefly nymphs, particularly 7 and 14 days after treatment, compared to an increase in the control treatment. The growth regulator Applaud was the most effective at reducing nymph numbers; the number of nymphs in the Applaud treatment 61 nymphs per 6 leaves, compared to 622 nymphs per 6 leaves, respectively, while the control group had 1,745 nymphs 28 days after treatment. The highest relative efficacy was achieved by the growth regulators Applaud and Match and the insecticide Oxymatrine 14 days after treatment, reaching 96.70%, 62.80%, and 66.70% respectively, while that of the chemical pesticide Ballistic was 50%. The results showed that the reduction in whitefly populations in the treatments with growth regulators and the pesticide Oxymatrine was reflected in improved production traits—namely, the number of flowers, the fruit-setting rate, and the number and weight of fruits compared to the decline observed in the control treatment. The growth regulator Applaud and the Ballistic-based insecticide can be considered among the best pesticides for controlling whiteflies.