The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, is a vector of banana bunchytop virus, a devastating disease of bananas. This disease is problematic on Oahu (Hawaii), and has not yet spread to other islands in the archipelago. Current management of the aphids depends on the use of diazinon, currently slated for deregistration in compliance with FQPA requirements. We are currently exploring the potential that parasitoids and indigenous insect pathogens have to contribute to the management of banana aphids in Hawaii. To contribute to the development of effective application protocols for biological control agents, we are investigating the spatial distribution of P. nigronervosa within banana plantations as well as seasonal trends in populations. Preliminary results show that aphid populations increase with distance from the edge of the plantation. Data from a number of plantations in different localities on Oahu will be presented.
Species 1: Homoptera Aphididae Pentalonia nigronervosa (banana aphid)
Keywords: landscape ecology
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