Efficacy of Nephaspis amnicola and Encarsia haitiensis in Controlling Aleurodicus dispersus in Hawaii

Abstract

The introduction and establishment of Nephaspis amnicola and Encarsia ?haitiensis have resulted in successful biological control of Aleurodicus dispersus in lowland and highland Honolulu. N. amnicola was more effective in reducing high whitefly populations and E ?haitiensis was more effective in low whitefly populations. The peak population densities of A. dispersus were reduced by 79.0% from 1980 through 1981 in lowland Honolulu, and by 98.8% from 1980 through 1981 in highland Honolulu. In addition, rainfall and temperature may have played an important role in regulating the whitefly populations, and previously established predators may have also contributed in reducing high whitefly populations.