Survey of Bemisia tabaci biotype B whitefly and its natural enemies in the South Pacific

Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu

Dr Paul De Barro
Phone: 07 3214 2811
Fax: 07 3214 2885
Email: Paul.DeBarro@csiro.au

• South Pacific Commission, Fiji

$100,158

01/09/1996 - 28/02/1997

01/03/1997 - 30/06/1997

Dr Paul Ferrar

The white fly Bemisia tabaci was not considered an important agricultural pest unti the early 1980s when a new agressive form called biotype B was observed. It attacks a wide range of hose plantsover 500 species in 74 families have been recorded so far. It damages plants by direct feeding (sap-sucking), contamination and by vectoring virus diseases and has spread to the South Pacific. identification relies on the use of molecular markers. This small project will survey up to 17 South Pacific countries to determine which biotype of Bemisia tabaci occur in which countries. natural enemies of B. tabaci will also be studied with the aim of identifying a possible biological control agent.

Outcomes for this project are currently being prepared