Can Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin and Sticky Traps Be Used in Integrated Control of Trialeurodes vaporariorum in Greenhouses?

The greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) causes substantial yield losses and reduced market value of produce in protected agricultural systems worldwide. This study examined the biocontrol potential of recombinant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin proteins harboring the LBW08 gene. Within a decision-support system (DSS) framework, we evaluated the effects of different competent cell lines on toxin expression profiles and assessed the insecticidal performance of two Bt toxin variants (08 and 08bt), both individually and in combination with yellow sticky traps. Our goal was to generate quantitative parameters on population suppression dynamics and cost-effectiveness, providing a basis for DSS-driven pest management recommendations. The 08Bt toxin expressed in JM110 competent cells exhibited superior purity and consistent insecticidal activity against T. vaporariorum nymphs. Notably, the integrated application of 08Bt and yellow sticky traps achieved the highest level of population suppression among all treatments, highest numerical level of population suppression among all treatments, although pairwise differences were not statistically significant, suggesting strong potential for synergistic control. In contrast, no synergistic interaction was observed with the 08 variant. However, the 08 variant combined with traps did not show a comparable numerical improvement. These findings support the development of cost-effective, environmentally sound tactics that can be incorporated into broader IPM strategies for protected agriculture.