Pentalonia nigronervosa, Pentalonia caladii and banana bunchy top virus in Micronesia

A 2011 survey of the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, its congener Pentalonia caladii, and of the persistent banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) in the Micronesian islands of Palau, Yap, Guam, Rota, Tinian, Saipan, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Majuro show that P. nigronervosa is widespread throughout Micronesia as is its banana (Musa sp.) host plant. Pentalonia caladii is also widespread, but its abundance on a given island appears to be directly related to the presence or absence of its ornamental host plants which consist primarily of comb ginger, Alpinia purpurata, and various Heliconiaceae and Strelitziaceae. ELISA analysis of tissue samples collected from Micronesia show BBTV to be present in the Marianas islands of Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Rota but suggest it is absent elsewhere in Micronesia.