Sensitivity of bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and the generalist predator orius albidipennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) to vapors of essential oils

In recent years, plant derivatives such as essential oils have been one of the most promising sources for the substitution of chemical insecticides for pest management. A laboratory assessment was conducted to find the fumigant toxicity of Artemisia sieberi Besser, Pelargonium roseum Andrews, and Ferula gummosa Boiss essential oils against the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius and its predator, Orius albidipennis Reuter. The responses varied depending on oil type and insect species. Based on 24-h median lethal concentration (LC50) values, all the essential oils showed similar toxicity to B. tabaci. Ferula gummosa essential oil had lesser toxicity (LC50, 3.46 μll ^-1 air) than P. roseum (LC50, 0.95 μll ^-1 air) and A. sieberi (LC50, 0.62 μll ^-1 air) against O. albidipennis. The toxicity of the oils increased for both insects by increasing the exposure time from 3 h to 48 h. A comparison of the essential oils' toxicity on the two insects showed a lower susceptibility of O. albidipennis to the tested essential oils, which is a promising result for the control of B. tabaci in integrated pest management programs.