Doubly effective screen nets

摘要

The use of 5o-mesh screens is an integral part of the routine IPM procedures maintained in the greenhouse industry of Israel as well as in other countries around the Mediterranean Basin. They were introduced as a physical barrier after severe outbreaks of silver leaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius Bellows and Perring and the tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) disease for which this insect is a vector. Over the last few years it has been impossible to grow outdoor tomato crops in Israel, due to the marked increase in the whitefly population and the lack of efficient insecticides to control the pest. The high infection rates with TYLCV often totally destroy tomato and bean crops as these are sensitive hosts.