Studies on whiteflies occurring in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana
Studies of the Aleyrodidae fauna in agricultural ecosystems have been carried out in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. Whitefly specimens have been collected from cultivated plants over a period of 20 years (1984-2005). As a result, 37 species were reported from Guadeloupe (including 24 new species), 20 from Martinique (7 new) and 11 from French Guiana (7 new). Details were also provided for the Islands of Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Marie-Galante and Saint-Kitts. It is pointed out that approximately 30% of these recorded species were non native (many of them of Asian origin). It is considered that these species have been non-intentionally introduced, most probably by human activities. The EPPO Secretariat has extracted new information about the following whitefly species:
Aleurocanthus woglumi (EPPO A1 List) is reported for the first time from Guadeloupe. Its presence is also confirmed in French Guiana and the Island of Saint-Kitts.
- Guadeloupe: several specimens have been collected on Citrus species (first specimen collected in 1992) from different locations including the island of Saint-Barthélemy.
- French Guiana: several specimens have been collected. It is suggested that A. woglumi was first introduced in 1995. Biological control is being implemented in French Guiana with an Encarsia species (first identified as E. opulenta but was probably E. perplexa) and good results were obtained. This confirms an earlier report (see EPPO RS 2001/028).
- Saint-Kitts and Nevis: a specimen was collected on Citrus at Basseterre (Saint-Kitts Island) in 1996, thus confirming an earlier report (see EPPO RS 98/069).
Aleurodicus dispersus (formerly EPPO Alert List) probably originates from the Caribbean or the Northern part of South America. It has been disseminated by human activities across most tropical regions. This highly polyphagous species can cause damage, especially in areas where it has newly been introduced. In the French Antilles, it occurs in Martinique and Guadeloupe, including the Islands of Marie-Galante (where it was collected for the first time in 2001), Saint-Barthélemy, and Saint-Martin.
Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 List) occurs in Guadeloupe (including the Island of Saint Barthélemy), Martinique and French Guiana on different crops (Brassica oleracea, Cucumis melo, Lycopersicon esculentum, Musa, Solanum melongena).
Lecanoideus floccissimus (formerly EPPO Alert List) was first described in Islas Canarias (Spain, see EPPO RS 98/013) but it probably originates from South or Central America. Its presence has been reported in Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Trinidad. In addition, L. floccissimus is reported for the first time in French Guiana. Specimens were collected in 2000 on Carica papaya and Psidium guajava.
Parabemisia myricae (formerly EPPO A2 List) is reported for the first time from Guadeloupe. Only one puparium was collected in 1998 on Citrus sp. It is considered that the situation of this pest should be further studied in Guadeloupe.
Sources
Streito JC, Etienne J, Balmès V (2007) Aleyrodidae des Antilles et de la Guyane française (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha). Revue française d'Entomologie (NS) 29(2-3), 57-72.