From circles to cubes: Exploring the effectiveness of different geometric shapes in trapping Greenhouse Whiteflies, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a notable pest in greenhouses, posing significant threats to vegetables, particularly tomatoes, and causing economic losses. This pest feeds on plant sap, leading to issues like chlorosis, honeydew excretion, and sooty mold growth. Moreover, they transmit plant viruses and even a particular mite. Although chemical pesticides are commonly used for its control, challenges like pesticide resistance and environmental concerns prompt the exploration of sustainable methods. This research examines the efficacy of yellow sticky traps, shaped into various 2D (circle, triangle, rectangle.) and 3D (cone, cube, cylinder) geometric forms, in attracting and trapping these whiteflies within tomato greenhouses. Results showed circle and cube-shaped traps are most effective. Comparatively, there was no difference in whitefly attraction between 2D and 3D traps. These findings suggest the potential of using differently shaped sticky traps for greenhouse pest management that may have been ignored until now.