Details on Bemisia argentifolii in Bahia (Brazil)
In Brazil, in the state of Bahia, severe outbreaks of Bemisia tabaci biotype B (B. argentifolii – EPPO A2 quarantine pest) have recently been observed in various regions (Itaberaba, Iacú, Lençóis, Juazeiro, Guanambí and Barreiras). The pest is particularly damaging on cotton ; up to 26 insecticide applications per season have been made against it. In bean crops, it is estimated that the acreage has been reduced from 35.000 ha in 1995 to 25.000 ha at present. In cucurbit crops, losses of 50 to 100 % are observed. Tomatoes are also attacked. These severe losses are associated with very high level of populations of B. tabaci biotype B and the phytotoxic disorders it causes (e.g. irregular ripening of fruits). The transmission of geminiviruses is also a problem associated with B. tabaci biotype B.
Sources
Anonymous (1997) Embrapa apóia a Bahia no controle da mosca branca. Cenargenda, Embrapa, Brasília, no. 39, p 3.