Economic losses due to Bemisia tabaci infestation in California
The new B-biotype of Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) had devasting effects on the vegetable production in California, US, from 1990 onwards. The pest caused an estimated 111 million USD worth of damage to melon, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower crops (including wasted production costs and lost revenue). The unemployment figures for 1990-92 were analysed and it was found that periods of high agricultural unemployment coincided with periods of devastation of crops by the pest.
Sources
Gonzales, R.A.; Goldman, G.E.; Natwick, E.T.; Rosenberg, H.R.; Grieshop, J.I.; Sutter, R.S.; Funakoshi, T.; Davila-Garcia, S. (1992) Whitefly invasion in Imperial Valley costs growers millions in losses.
California Agriculture 46 (5), 7-8.