Using kaolin to manage whiteflies

In the United States, the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is a significant agricultural pest, particularly for cucurbits. The economic implications of this pest are multifaceted: B. tabaci not only causes leaf silvering via its feeding activities but also acts as a vector for various viruses targeting cucurbits. Prevailing management strategies predominantly endorse the utilization of insecticides. Such practices, however, result in significant ecological impacts and increased insecticidal resistance within B. tabaci populations.

We evaluated a "push-pull" pest management approach for whiteflies in squash plantings for two successive years. This strategy utilized a kaolin-limonene mixture as the "push" factor. Concurrently, yellow sticky banners served as the "pull" element, adjacent to the crops. In 2020, the Kaolin+Limonene treatment significantly reduced adult whitefly counts compared to the control. This trend persisted in 2021, though not consistently across all trial weeks. The presence of yellow banners consistently reduced both adult and nymph counts in both years. While the Kaolin+Limonene treatment enhanced Quincy's harvest weights 2020, 2021 saw increased harvest weights attributed to the banners.

Through rigorous testing of this dual strategy over two years, we aimed to present a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional insecticide applications, thereby addressing the mounting challenges associated with whitefly management.