EFFECT OF THREE BACILLUS SPP. ON TOBACCO WHITEFLY BEMISIA TABACI (GENNADIUS) (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE)

Tobacco whitefly (WF), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodiae) has been considered as a major pest on many host plants worldwide. Three Bacillus spp.: B. subtilis (Bs), B. amyloliquefaciens (Ba) and B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) were tested for their effects on WF eggs, nymph and adults mortality. Bs and Bt were the most efficient bacillus strains on WF adults compared to Ba and T20 treatments. Bs and Bt efficacy against nymphs were more significant than that in T20 treatment. Meanwhile, Ba and T20 had no significant effect on nymph's mortality. All strains have no significant effect on WF eggs. Bio-logical control of B. tabaci using Bacillus pathogens is vital and an evolving approach that needs to be investigated carefully and its ecological safety made it necessary for scientists and farmers to be aware of its importance.