ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the recent developments that have taken place in the field of natural enemies and botanicals to be used against the whitefly. It also discusses the natural enemies complex of whiteflies. A large number of predators have been identified but these could not equate with the amount of parasitoids. There is a need to develop techniques for the mass production of predators. The use of parasitoids has been liberal against the whiteflies and, based on the efficacy of this category of natural enemies, a number of firms have come forward to mass-produce thems for use against this notorious pest. Though the parasitoids are available there is a need to further refine their mass-production and to apply them under field conditions. Eretmocerus and Encarsia are being sold on a large scale. It is important to lay more stress on the conservation of natural enemies.. Several entomopathogenic fungi have also been identified. Earlier Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae were common for use against whiteflies. Aschersonia, Paecilomyces, etc have been the additions in the list of efficient entomopathogenic fungi providing protection from whiteflies. However, there is still a need to develop a methodology to reduce their dependence on weather. Additionally, this chapter also reviews the recent advances in the use of biopesticides against the whiteflies. While recent advances have been made in the application of botanicals, the products with quick knockdown are still lacking. The current products are slow-acting and thus could not be popularized. Finally, this chapter discusses the new products have been introduced and which are likely to stay as a part of the integrated pest management of whiteflies.
