THE CHRISTMAS DISPERSAL OF BEMISIA TABACI (GENNADIUS) IN NEW ZEALAND

In 2006, Bemisia tabaci biotype Q was identified in New Zealand. The Christmas trade in poinsettias is implicated in the recent, rapid dispersal of B. tabaci biotype Q through North America. Retail outlets were surveyed during December 2006 and 2007 to investigate whether this may be a pathway for dispersal in New Zealand. A PCR-based diagnostic tool confirmed the presence of B. tabaci biotype Q on poinsettias purchased in both Christchurch and Auckland. However, results indicated that abundance varied between the regions, years and propagation nurseries. In 2006, 169 and three adult whitefly were collected from a selection of retail outlets in Christchurch and Auckland, respectively, compared with 256 and 56 in 2007. Only B. tabaci biotype Q was identified from the samples collected from Christchurch, with B. tabaci biotype Q and relatively few Trialeurodes vaporariorum identified from the Auckland samples.