Smallanthus sonchifolius as a trap plant for Bemisia tabaci: host preference, host suitability, and semi-field control effects under protected tomato cultivation
- 1Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, College of Agriculture and Bioscience, Kunming University
- 2Yuxi Normal University
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to identify promising trap plants for Bemisia tabaci among five host plants by integrating laboratory host preference and host suitability with semi-field population suppression under protected tomato cultivation.
Methods: Laboratory assays assessed adult settling and oviposition preference and the survival and development of B. tabaci on the five plants. A greenhouse trial then evaluated whether planting these plants around protected tomato reduced B. tabaci densities on the main crop.
Results: 55.33% of female and 54.17% of male B. tabaci adults chose Smallanthus sonchifolius , whereas less than 10% of adults chose Phaseolus vulgaris and Nicotiana tabacum . The number of eggs laid by B. tabaci adults on S. sonchifolius reached 260.30 per plant, which was significantly higher than those on other plants. Considering the entire stage from egg to adult, the survival rate of B. tabaci on S. sonchifolius was highest (53.33%); and lowest on N. tabacum (23.83%). The development time of B. tabaci egg to nymph was longest on N. tabacum (33.45 days), and shortest on S. sonchifolius (21.78 days). The lifespan of adults was longest on S. sonchifolius (24.03 days), and shorter on N. tabacum (15.33 days). In a semi-field greenhouse trial, planting S. sonchifolius as a trap plant significantly reduced B. tabaci population on tomato plants under protected cultivation, with adult densities below 400 individuals per 100 cm ² leaf and nymph densities below 550 individuals per 100 cm ² leaf.
Discussion: In summary, B. tabaci showed a strong settling and oviposition preference for S. sonchifolius , and this plant may have potential as an attractive trap plant for ecological management of B. tabaci , provided that B. tabaci on the trap plants is controlled promptly to prevent the plants from becoming a population source.
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BibTeX
@article{tang2026smallanthus,
title = {{Smallanthus sonchifolius as a trap plant for Bemisia tabaci: host preference, host suitability, and semi-field control effects under protected tomato cultivation}},
author = {Huangkai Tang and Yuze An and Yun Gao and Lingling Liu and Songtao Tan and Yana Li and Wei Wang and Binyan Cai and Li Ding and Jiani Liu and Shaowu Yang},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1973439},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1973439/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Smallanthus sonchifolius as a trap plant for Bemisia tabaci: host preference, host suitability, and semi-field control effects under protected tomato cultivation
AU - Huangkai Tang
AU - Yuze An
AU - Yun Gao
AU - Lingling Liu
AU - Songtao Tan
AU - Yana Li
AU - Wei Wang
AU - Binyan Cai
AU - Li Ding
AU - Jiani Liu
AU - Shaowu Yang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1973439
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1973439/full
AB - Introduction: This study aimed to identify promising trap plants for Bemisia tabaci among five host plants by integrating laboratory host preference and host suitability with semi-field population suppression under protected tomato cultivation. Methods: Laboratory assays assessed adult settling and oviposition preference and the survival and development of B. tabaci on the five plants. A greenhouse trial then evaluated whether planting these plants around protected tomato reduced B. tabaci densities on the main crop. Results: 55.33% of female and 54.17% of male B. tabaci adults chose Smallanthus sonchifolius , whereas less than 10% of adults chose Phaseolus vulgaris and Nicotiana tabacum . The number of eggs laid by B. tabaci adults on S. sonchifolius reached 260.30 per plant, which was significantly higher than those on other plants. Considering the entire stage from egg to adult, the survival rate of B. tabaci on S. sonchifolius was highest (53.33%); and lowest on N. tabacum (23.83%). The development time of B. tabaci egg to nymph was longest on N. tabacum (33.45 days), and shortest on S. sonchifolius (21.78 days). The lifespan of adults was longest on S. sonchifolius (24.03 days), and shorter on N. tabacum (15.33 days). In a semi-field greenhouse trial, planting S. sonchifolius as a trap plant significantly reduced B. tabaci population on tomato plants under protected cultivation, with adult densities below 400 individuals per 100 cm ² leaf and nymph densities below 550 individuals per 100 cm ² leaf. Discussion: In summary, B. tabaci showed a strong settling and oviposition preference for S. sonchifolius , and this plant may have potential as an attractive trap plant for ecological management of B. tabaci , provided that B. tabaci on the trap plants is controlled promptly to prevent the plants from becoming a population source.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -