In this section we welcome all your experiences in working directly with the end-users of arthropod and microbial biocontrol agents or in educational activities on natural enemies aimed at students, farmers, extension staff or policymakers.

More Than Biocontrol to Citrus Blackfly Management

A classical biological control project often has to overcome both scientific and political obstacles. A training course in Trinidad on the biological control of citrus blackfly (CBF), Aleurocanthus woglumi, was designed to tackle both aspects. This is an invaluable approach for scientists new to biocontrol. They need to be able not only to handle the technical aspects of implementing a biocontrol project, but also to deal with understandable concerns about the safety of introducing exotic species. The dual focus of such a course is particularly useful for countries with little or no experience of classical biological control, where scientists new to biocontrol will, in the absence of colleagues with experience, have to deal with both the scientific challenge and public anxiety.

CBF is an important pest of citrus and other crops (as well as being one of many 'black' whiteflies). Originating in Asia, it has spread around the world and was first recorded as a pest in the Caribbean in 1913. CBF is not a virus vector, but causes direct damage by feeding, as well as giving rise to sooty moulds. These grow on the copious honeydew that the nymphs excrete, and can substantially reduce the plant's photosynthetic area. Several attempts at classical biological control over the past 70 years have met with varying degrees of success. Following devastating infestations in Dominica in the mid 1990s, the apparently very host-specific parasitoids Amitus hesperidum and Encarsia perplexa were introduced from Texas and subsequently gave satisfactory control throughout the island. Taking their cue from this success, the Trinidad Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources (MALMR), after pressure from the Cooperative Citrus Growers' Association of Trinidad, commissioned CAB International to undertake the importation and release of the same two species from Florida. On this occasion, the introductions were undertaken in accordance with the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) Code of Conduct for the Import and Release of Exotic Biological Control Agents, making the programme, from start to finish, a model for future classical biocontrol introductions. To be able to refer to such a model example is particularly important when addressing the commonly encountered, and understandable, suspicion of classical biological control programmes. Following the introductions into Trinidad in April 2000, several stakeholders, including most members of the CBF project management committee, undertook a short training period. Trainees from that course became resource persons for the present course, bringing the CBF management experience in Trinidad to representatives of the rest of the Caribbean region. The course was attended by trainees representing Antigua & Barbuda, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines and Surinam. Resource persons were mainly from Trinidad, Dominica and Europe.

The training course, coordinated by CAB International and held at its Caribbean and Latin America Regional Centre (CABI-CLARC) on 23-28 March 2003, was one of the initiatives of the Caribbean Agriculture and Fisheries Programme - Integrated Pest Management Project. The Integrated Pest Management Project encompasses specialist activities financed by the European Union through the Caribbean Agriculture and Fisheries Programme (CAFP). CAFP is a i22.2 million European Community - CARIFORUM initiative aimed at strengthening the economies of member states by enhancing the contribution of the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The subject matter covered included principles of classical biological control, especially within the Code of Conduct guidelines, and illustrated by the examples of CBF control from Dominica and Trinidad. Detailed information was provided on natural enemies of whiteflies worldwide, with emphasis on the region, and on A. hesperidum and E. perplexa in particular. Special attention was given to monitoring and surveillance and to public awareness programmes. Practical sessions on whitefly and citrus leaf miner (Phyllocnistis citrella) parasitoid identification were included, as well as fieldwork.

Participants found the course both useful and enjoyable. Most felt the necessity for verification of available information concerning the current distribution of CBF and its natural enemies in the region, and for greater transparency concerning the distribution of quarantine pests in general. A natural reluctance on the part of some countries to be open about the occurrence of new pests, due to the effect on exports, needs to be countered with regional, coordinated initiatives on the containment and control of pests. Above all, no state should be punished for being open on such matters. Plans for a detailed regional survey of whiteflies and their natural enemies are currently being developed, and those interested in participating should contact Andrew Polaszek (see below).

Source: Polaszek, A. (2003) The citrus blackfly workshop. International Whitefly Studies Network, Norwich, UK; IWSN Newsletter No. 17, p. 3.

For further information on CBF natural enemies or in connection with setting up workshops similar to that described above, contact:

Andrew Polaszek, Dept of Entomology,
The Natural History Museum,
London SW7 5BD, UK
Email: ap@nhm.ac.uk

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