Young, Cheryl L.Wright, Mark G.2007-05-242007-05-242005-11Young CL, Wright MG. 2005. Seasonal and spatial distribution of banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in banana plantations on Oahu. Proc Hawaiian Entomol Soc 37:73–80.0073-134Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10125/85Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) severely affects the sustainability of Hawaii’s banana crop industry. Although the virus rarely kills the plant, infection severely limits production of marketable fruit. The only known vector of BBTV is the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa, Hemiptera: Aphididae). This study was conducted on three farms located in Kahuku, Waialua and Waianae on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Within each farm, 16 plots were set up in a grid pattern for monthly sampling. Average numbers of aphids were compared with ANOVA for each farm by month. Taylor’s Power Law was used to determine dispersion within plantations. There were no distinct patterns in seasonal distribution, but aphid numbers were negatively correlated with rainfall in some plantations. An aggregated dispersion pattern was evident in plantations with lesser cultural management inputs. We also observed a seasonal edge-effect (larger numbers of aphids closest to plantations’ edges). Due to the vector status of banana aphid, an understanding of the seasonal and spatial distribution of banana aphids is an important component in developing efficient BBTV management strategies.en-USspatial distributionseasonal variationbananasMusaPentalonia nigronervosaOahuHawaiiBanana bunchy top viruspopulation dynamicspest monitoringsamplingrainplantationscrop managementinsect vectorsedge effectsArticle