The Encarsia vs Spiraling Whitefly

The spiraling whitefly is native of the Caribbean Region and Central America where it is not regarded as a pest because it is kept under control by a number of native predatory insects and tiny parasitic wasps.

Spiraling whitefly was first discovered in Hawaii in 1978 and from there spread through the pacific islands and then westwards to Asia (1987) and Africa (1992). It was found in north Queensland (Cape York) in 1995 and Cairns in 1998.

Three species of predatory ladybirds and two parasitic wasps (Encarsia spp.) were introduced to Hawaii in 1979 and 1980 leading to large reductions (80-99%) in population levels of the pest. Since then the parasitic wasps have been introduced into most of the other infested countries with similar results including the city of Cairns in Australia.

The whitefly pest was first detected in Darwin in March 2006. Within days some of the known parasitic wasps (Encarsia spp.) were collected from Cairns and sent through to Darwin by Queensland Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries. These were held in the laboratory by the NT Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (DPIFM).

The parasitic wasp lays its eggs in the immature whiteflies and the wasp larvae develop within the whiteflies. When the wasp larvae are full grown and pupate, the whiteflies die, and adult wasps emerge from the pupae.

The parasitic wasps were introduced to areas in Darwin as a biological control agent to help combat the whitefly pest. The parasites released proceeded to attack their whitefly host, and continued to reproduce and spread in the wild.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• DPIFM
• Encarsia
• Entomology
• Whitefly
• Darwin
• Northern
• Territory
• Government
• Australia

[yvell]

There is a parasite engineered to attack crops pests, and if it gets loose will attack humans, leave scars and kills the brain.

[stathmopoda]

haha yeah the music is a bit much.. some nice footage though..

[mapnwtn]

good but whats up with the music?

[MsLatosi]

Always has been and perhaps always will be a part of micro evolutionary processes as is are explained throughout life natural processes.