Entomology Open access

Enhanced nymphal mortality of the invasive rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) through separate and tank-mix applications of insecticides with additives

Authors

Published
10 April 2026
Section
Entomology
DOI
10.4081/jear.2026.14784

Abstract

The rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, has recently emerged as a major invasive pest in Bangladesh, causing severe damage to coconut and a variety of fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops. The nymphs, particularly the second to fourth instars, are covered with thick waxy secretions and cottony filaments, which reduce insecticide penetration and efficacy. This study evaluated five insecticides applied alone or in combination with two additives, Surf Excel Matic Liquid (SEML) and potassium salts of fatty acids (PSFA), using both direct tank-mix and post-application approaches. Factorial analysis revealed that the main effects of insecticide, additive, and application method were significant, whereas their interactions were not, indicating that each factor independently influenced nymphal mortality. Insecticides applied alone provided limited control, whereas inclusion of additives significantly enhanced mortality, with PSFA consistently outperforming SEML. Post-application resulted in slightly higher nymphal suppression, but direct tank mixing of PSFA with insecticides offers a more practical and efficient field strategy. These findings suggest that additives can substantially improve insecticide efficacy, potentially by altering cuticular properties or increasing uptake. While results were obtained under controlled laboratory conditions, environmental factors such as rainfall, UV degradation, and spray coverage may influence performance in the field, and further studies under diverse agroecological conditions are warranted to validate the practical efficiency of additive-insecticide combinations in integrated pest management programs.

Keywords

Supporting Agencies

Krishi Gobeshona Foundation

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Copyright (c) 2026 Md. Shariful Islam, Gopal Das, Mohammad Mahir Uddin, Mst. Rokeya Khatun, Md. Shohel Rana, Akibul Islam Tusar, Md. Sajibul Islam

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