Researchers Use "Banker Plants" to Combat Whiteflies

Scientists from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are studying the use of "banker" plants to help farmers combat whiteflies and other pests. "Banker" plants are storehouses for predatory insects that can migrate to cash crops and feed on the the pests that attack those crops.

Cindy L. McKenzie, entomologist at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), studied how papaya, corn, and ornamental peppers can be used as "banker" plants for a number of parasitoids and predators. In a study conducted in Florida, McKenzie's team chose papaya as banker plant and non-stinging wasp Encarsia sophia as predator that will feed on the silverleaf whitefly (Bermisia tabaci), the targeted pest.

Using banker plants is a balancing act, though, as researchers must carefully select not only the predators themselves, but also alternative prey that will keep the predators fed, but won't damage the cash crops. They also need banker plants and predators that will not host or spread diseases to the cash crops.

More information about this research can be read from the September issue of Agricultural Research magazine at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep12/plants0912.htm.