Poinsettia

Common Pests:

Solutions:

Overview

Successful biological control of Poinsettia crops has been a challenge in recent years, due to the continual abuse of chemical insecticides being used by the propagators of the plant material. Over the years, Bemisia, bio-types B and Q have surpassed the Greenhouse whitefly as the significant, most prevalent pest. This trend greatly affects the strategy for scouting and pest management in the crop. Bemisia, especially bio-type Q, is largely resistant to all legal and illegal pesticides, so, chemically based strategies for Poinsettia are no longer viable. The high levels of chemical residues coming in on the cuttings, however, make biological control, especially during the summer months also non-viable.

This recommendation therefore, is based on the situation that the Bemisia coming in on the cuttings will have at least 1 month of freedom from any biological controls, effectively giving the pest a significant head start. The primary controls for Bemisia are the beetle, Delphastus and fresh, unrefrigerated Encarsia formosa. Delphastus directly targets Bemisia colonies, focusing on the eggs first, moving up the development stages until even the adult is consumed. The critical decision is when to take the risk to introduce the Delphastus. Too early and the residual chemicals will kill the Delphastus, too late, and the Bemisia will get too much of a head start, especially if September remains hot, delaying the conquest of the Bemisia into the later parts of October. In recent years, “hairy” varieties have caused problems with Delphastus establishment. Many growers rely mostly on Encarsia formosa until scouts begin to find larger clusters of Bemisia. This strategy uses the host-feeding and parasitism of Bemisia and Greenhouse Whitefly by Encarsia to keep numbers low, despite the low-survivability of Encarsia in a chemically loaded crop. As the chemicals from the propagator wear-off, Encarsia becomes the work-horse of the control program with Delphastus as a supplementary tool.

As a recommendation we will present the most common, and most successful program; one that uses both Encarsia formosa and Delphastus catalinae.

Propagation

We highly recommend following Vineland Research Institute’s’ guide for dipping cuttings to better start with clean poinsettias. That guide can be found here on the ONFlouriculture website.

The overview at this stage is to ride out the residual chemical issue. Because most propagation utilizes misting and/or humidity tents to facilitate rooting, we can take advantage of the physical conditions and use fungal and bacterial pathogens. We urge aggressive application of this class of products, as they can help in three ways; first, they can act directly on the adult and nymph stages of whitefly, second, their application helps rinse off some chemical residue, and third, the physical spray damages whitefly adults. The regular misting of the cuttings also disturbs the adult whitefly, causing movement. We believe that trapping eggplants will provide some of the whitefly a slightly more favourable host, and be able to pull some of the pest from the crop. Some Encarsia should also be present at all times so that there will be some killing of the whitefly by host feeding or parasitism attempts.

Young seedlings, cuttings, or tissue culture plants should be inoculated with Gaeolaelaps gillespiei or Straiolaelaps scimitus as soon as they are in the growing media. They both can be applied overhead using a hand spreader, shaken onto the flats, or premixed right into the soil mix provided it is used up the same day.

One week after introduction of Gg or Ss, nematodes can be watered in at the recommended rate if the crop is being grown wet and significant Fungus Gnat pressure is evident. The nematodes ensure an effective knock-back of the fungus gnats and also feed and help disperse the soil mites.

Rates for both mites are 250 mites per square meter.

Whitefly must be assessed accurately by closely inspecting the cuttings for eggs. It should be assumed that the propagator vigorously treated the cuttings against adult whitefly. This assumption precludes the normal use of beneficials against whitefly during the first month of propagation due to the residual pesticides.

Weekly or twice weekly applications of fungal pathogens such as “BotaniGard” should be maintained for as long as the humidity remains high. Check with the supplier of these pathogens to ensure that you are manipulating the climate effectively to ensure an adequate kill. Usually high humidity (for the summer) is required for at least 6 hours to ensure adequate penetration of the whitefly. Because of this, the rooting period is ideal. After 2 weeks, or when the covers for propagation have been removed, begin fresh Encarsia at a rate of 1 to 6 per square meter depending on the prevalence of whitefly. It should be noted that the Encarsia applied during this period is not expected cycle as effectively because of the chemical residues; instead, the strategy is to achieve a significant kill of the whitefly caused by host feeding and parasitism wounds. The idea behind this step is that for every 1 Bemisia killed in propagation you prevent 100 that you’d, otherwise, be dealing with in September.

During propagation we recommend that Eggplant be present as a possible trapping crop. Bemisia slightly prefers Eggplant so, any movement or jostling of the plants resulting in making the adults taking flight, could see some movement over to the eggplant, which is not toxic and preferable to Encarsia. If any Greenhouse whitefly are present, the eggplant will definitely be attractive to them, so it will also help scouting. If a significant whitefly build up occurs on the eggplant, consider yourself lucky, as this will allow you to introduce Delphastus earlier than otherwise. Anysistis baccarum is also used at this point, at a rate of at least 1000/acre (0.25 per square meter). The Anystis will attack and eat some adult whitefly, and disturb others into flight – enhancing the trapping of adult whitefly on sticky cards or migration to the eggplants, and slowing their reproduction.

We also believe that during this phase you should install a version of our “flying aphid trap” which was developed in the fall of 2012, for aphid prevention. There is evidence that Bemisia are attracted to UV light. This could make a significant improvement in the management of Bemisia, but, it has not been attempted.

The trap is a modified “bug zapper” with the bottom removed. A downward throwing “duct booster” fan is duct tapped to the bottom and the power for the fan is take from the “zapper” circuit. A “paint strainer” bag is then placed on the bottom. Even if this doesn’t work, it is a good idea because it really works on aphids. But, if this trap really does work, make sure that it is put away before Delphastus is released, as it really does work on them.

Main Crop

The overview of this stage is that we are attempting to stop a “runaway freight train”. This “train” has had 2 months of a head start, so, we have to aggressively jump on board and get the brakes working. Delphastus and fresh Encarsia formosa are the keys against Bemisia. Delphastus prefers Bemisia over other whitefly species and prefers the eggs. Going for the eggs is by far the most effective strategy, but it does not provide quick, or obvious results during the month of September. The grower must let September develop patiently. Delphastus is applied in a staggered way, to ensure that any lingering chemical sub-lethal effects are minimized. The good news is that during this stage the “grade of the track shifts” as the temperatures begin to drop. Bemisia may be aggressive in the summer, but in the fall, they rapidly become passive, hunkering down into hot spots in preferred varieties. A hot September, like we had in 2012 pushes us back for as many weeks as it is hot. Based on the initial Bemisia loading, and the September weather, the ultimate end release rate of Delphastus will range from 1 to 3 beetles per square meter. Encarsia should be continuously released from the day the misting tents come off to the end of any detectable whitefly at a rate of 1 to 6 wasps per square meter, weekly.

Re-apply Stratiolaelaps or Gaeolaelaps at the transplanting stage at the same rate (250 per square meter). Fungus gnats should be monitored using yellow sticky traps. The larvae should be regularly monitored by applying a slice of raw potato to the surface of the soil. Leave it there for a set period of time eg. overnight (12 hours), then remove and inspect. The larvae are attracted to the potato. Increasing numbers suggest a developing problem, while decreasing numbers show control. Fungus Gnats should not be tolerated as they reduce the root development of the young plants and the flying adults are capable of transporting pest mites, such as Broad mite or possibly, Lewis Mite.

Whitefly prevention is a multipronged attack. Bemisia is not easily scouted or monitored. My favorite way of detecting and monitoring Bemisia is walk through the crop, gently kicking the pots, or, if on benches, banging the benches together or with my fists. Unlike the Greenhouse Whitefly, Bemisia tend to be mobile only at temperatures above 25 C and prefer higher density clusters. These clusters are a defensive strategy against many predators and parasitoids, as the sticky honeydew is difficult to transverse. So far, we have not been able to find a “trapping” plant that is capable of attracting the Bemisia away from the crop at an effective level. The Greenhouse whitefly, however, can be attracted away from the Poinsettia by the Eggplant. We still recommend having at least one eggplant in each production house as Greenhouse whitefly is still a significant Poinsettia pest, and there is a slight affinity for Bemisia with the eggplant. The eggplant should be in the house before the Poinsettias are spaced so that when the Bemisia is disturbed it may find the eggplant. Unless you are prepared to pick up every plant, it is best to assume that Bemisia eggs survived the propagator’s treatment, and begin introductions of Delphastus catalinae, after a suitable waiting period to ensure that the residuals of the propagator’s treatment are gone (at least 4 weeks after sticking the cuttings). Three staggered introductions, each two weeks apart, of 0.1 to 0.3 beetles per square meter should be done. If significant levels of Bemisia are present, similar to the 2012 season, the rate of Delphastus release should be doubled or even tripled, with later-season applications of 1 to 3 beetles per square meter. Some beetles should be placed near known infestations, but most should be neutrally released, ensuring aggressive searching. Delphastus find Bemisia and all other whitefly by smell, greatly preferring Bemisia. Once Delphastus has eliminated the Bemisia they will turn to other whitefly species. Lower levels of Bemisia are typically discovered in Poinsettia crops about mid-October. This is because Bemisia do not act the same way Greenhouse Whitefly does. Bemisia tend to clump in hot spots, and, if undisturbed, tend not to be attracted to yellow sticky traps

Do not attempt to chemically knock down a Bemisia infestation. Bemisia is resistant to all of the approved, and unapproved chemicals, and a treatment will only kill the adults and render the site unacceptable for Beneficials. Severe hot spots should have the Aphidoletes “A-bomb” applied, one tray for every hot spot, but only during September. Earlier applications may suffer from chemical residues, and later applications are pushing the Aphidoletes into the lower light levels and lower temperatures of Fall. Aphidoletes will readily go after Bemisia if no Aphids are present. Also release Delphastus at and near the hot spot at a rate of 10 per square meter (hot spot dimensions). Repeat 2 weeks later.

I am not mentioning the Greenhouse whitefly only because any, or all of the applications, including the eggplants will easily manage this pest.

Thrips in Poinsettia are slowly becoming a bigger issue over the years so careful management is necessary. Having Ss or Gg in the soil will prevent WFT from cycling, as the soil mites are very effective in predating the pupating Thrips larvae. Trap plants, such as Yellow Hero Marigold, are very effective in Poinsettia. If Thrips damage is being seen, apply Neoseiulus cucumeris at a rate of 50 to 500 per square meter, every 3 to 4 weeks and reapply the Anystis baccarum but at the increased rate of 0.5 mites per square meter to enhance thrips predation. Cucumeris will also control broad mites at this rate.

Lewis mite is very hard to detect until it is too late. If you have a history of Lewis mite, or you have reason to suspect that Lewis mite has come in on the cuttings, apply Neoseiulus fallacis at a rate of 20 mites per square meter, just once, after the plants are transplanted, but before they are finally spaced.

Finishing Off

As bad as Bemisia can get, they really don’t like the colouring up conditions, and are unsuited to the cooler temperatures in the final month of a Poinsettia crop. As long as there are Delphastus present during the last month, control will be achieved. If you can reduce the temperature, by all means do so. The Delphastus will slow down, but they will still be much faster than the remaining Bemisia.

QUICK GLANCE:

Greenhouse Whitefly:               Encarsia formosa (1-6) wasps per square meter

Bemisia Whitefly:                       Delphastus catalinae (0.1-0.3 initial to 1-3 mid season) beetles per square meter AND Encarsia formosa (1-6) wasps per square meter.

Lewis mite:                                  Neoseiulus fallacis 20 mites per square meter.

Broad mite:                                  Neoseiulus cucumeris 50-500 mites per square meter. (Fungus gnats and whitefly adults must also be controlled)

Thrips:                                          Anystis baccarum 0.5 mites per square meter AND Neoseiulus cucumeris 50-500 per square meter AND a soil mite (see fungus gnats)

Fungus Gnats:                             Stratiolaelaps scimitus OR Gaeolaelaps gillespiei 250 mites per square meter applying to growing media.