January 2012. A follow up on other messages from Pohnpei, FSM, on the outbreak of the white fly, Aleurotrachelus trachoides. The whitefly has been found attacking Meremia. Unfortunately, the whitefly is also a major pest of kava, pepper and tomato so it’s unlikely to be used as a biocontrol agent!

In another discovery, and this time with more potential for biocontrol, a fungus has been found that kills the whitefly. It has been identified as Aschersonia sp. by the Global Plant Clinic. The fungus appears to be slow acting, and because of this two other potentail biocontrol agents are to be introducred to Pohnpei: Encarsia formosa and Delphastus catalinae.