NATURAL ENEMIES MANAGING THE INVASION OF THE FIG WHITEFLY, SINGHIELLA SIMPLEX (HEMIPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE), INFESTING A FICUS BENJAMINA HEDGE

Based on leaf disk samples taken in this field pilot study, only ~10% of the fig whitefly mortality was attributed to parasitization by Encarsia species, ~90% was due to other natural causes; i.e. enzootic entomopathogenic fungi, predation, etc. This is the first record of the Hypocreales fungi, I. fumosorosea, P. lilacinus, and Aspergillus, Lecanicillium, and Fusarium species being isolated from dead S. simplex nymphs on F. benjamina. It is important to assess the long term impacts pesticide applications made for managing the fig whitefly may have on the ecosystem, and especially the ecological impact on the natural enemies which include enzootic entomopathogenic fungi. Copyright © 2011 BioOne All rights reserved.