https://doi.org/10.4081/jear.2026.14784
Enhanced nymphal mortality of the invasive rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) through separate and tank-mix applications of insecticides with additives
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Published: 10 April 2026
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.
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CRediT authorship contribution
Md. Shariful Islam: conducting the study. Gopal Das: study conception and design, fund management, interpretation of results, final manuscript preparation. Mohammad Mahir Uddin: data analysis and manuscript final review. Mst. Rokeya Khatun: manuscript revision and correction. Md. Shohel Rana: conducting the study and data analysis. Akibul Islam Tusar: manuscript writing. Md. Sajibul Islam: manuscript review.
Supporting Agencies
Krishi Gobeshona FoundationHow to Cite
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