Situation of Bemisia tabaci in Islas Canarias (ES)
In Islas Canarias (ES), Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been found for the first time on Lanzarote on sweet potato (Ipomeas batata) in 1983. Since then, the insect spread rapidly to many agricultural areas of the islands, mainly Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
In Tenerife, B. tabaci is widespread. In the north, it occurs mainly in greenhouses and damages poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), tomato, green pepper, Carica papaya and melon. Many weed species are also attacked by B. tabaci, such as Nicotiana glauca, Sonchus sp. and Ricinus communis.
In Gran Canaria, B. tabaci is present in the south of the island on green pepper and poinsettia.
In La Gomera, B. tabaci is found on tomato.
In Islas Canarias, the most affected crops are: Carica papaya, tomato, green pepper, eggplant, poinsettia and squash. In addition to direct damage, the main concern is the transmission of tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) and the appearance of plant disorders like irregular ripening and squash silverleaf. In the South of Tenerife, appeared the first symptoms of TYLCV in areas where populations of B. tabaci are high (see also EPPO RS 95/040). Irregular ripening has also been observed in some tomato-growing areas in the North of Tenerife. Squash silverleaf also raises some concerns. Chemical control is applied by the growers and research is carried out on biological control.
Sources
Cebrián, R.; Carnero, A.; Pérez-Padrón, F. (1994) Pest status of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on Canary Islands.
IOBC wprs Bulletin, 17 (5), 47-51.