Bemisia tabaci is present in Crete (GR)
Extensive surveys were carried out in Crete (GR) in June and November 1992, and May 1993, and showed that Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) is present in Crete in glasshouses and in field conditions. Esterase profile analysis has clearly demonstrated that the populations found on the island do not belong to the "B-biotype". The main hosts plants are vegetable crops (Cucumis melo, Lycopersicon esculentum, Solanum melongena), ornamentals (Ipomoea sp., Lantana camara) and weeds (Sonchus sp). At present, populations of B. tabaci are restricted to only small areas in the warmest parts of the island and in protected conditions near Iraklion. The authors thought that this limited distribution could be due to climatic constraints, competition with Trialeurodes vaporariorum and the efficacy of natural enemies which are also present on the island (such as the parasitoids, Encarsia lutea, E. inaron and Eretmocerus sp.).
Sources
Kirk, A.A.; Lacey, L.A.; Roditakis, N.; Brown, J.K. (1993) ;The status of Bemisia tabaci (Hom.: Aleyrodidae), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hom.: Aleyrodidae) and their natural ennemies in Crete.
Entomophaga, 38 (3), 405-410.