In Alabama, ongoing research is advancing integrated pest management (IPM) tactics to mitigate damage caused by Bemisia tabaci and associated viral diseases in key vegetable crops. This study aimed to evaluate host plant resistance (HPR) traits in tomato and cucurbit varieties that may reduce whitefly pressure. Three greenhouse trials were conducted using five tomato varieties under controlled conditions (26 ± 2 °C, 50 ± 10% RH, 16:10 light:dark photoperiod) to assess whitefly abundance. When initial infestations were low, varieties ‘Sweet 100’, ‘Roma Heirloom’, and ‘Beef Steak’ exhibited the lowest numbers of whitefly adults. However, under high infestation pressure, no significant differences were observed among varieties, indicating that exorbitant whitefly numbers ( >80 adults per median leaf) are capable of surpassing tomato HPR traits. In the cucurbit trials, whitefly population dynamics were assessed across trichome-related treatments, integrated with pyriproxyfen and cyantraniliprole applications. Standardized field scouting monitored adult, egg, and nymph populations. Whiteflies displayed a clear preference for varieties rich in non-glandular trichomes. Pyriproxyfen effectively suppressed nymphs, while cyantraniliprole provided strong control of both nymphs and adults. The interplay between varietal traits, trichome types, and insecticide treatments significantly influenced whitefly populations. Ongoing multiple preference tests are being conducted for evaluating whitefly behavior in different plant species and cultivars. This research highlights the potential of HPR traits to reduce insecticide application frequency and strengthen IPM strategies for B. tabaci management.
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