Fourth International Bemisia Workshop International Whitefly Genomics Workshop
Looking for Bemisia tabaci biotype Q in Florida: Results of biotype sampling from 2005–2006.
1 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, Florida, USA. Correspondence: hodgesg@doacs.state.fl.us
2 USDA, U.S. Horticultural Research Lab, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
In March 2005, Arizona scientists identified the Q biotype of Bemisia tabaci from Poinsettia plants that originated from California. Soon after, Florida began forming a plan for surveying, identifying and dealing with the Q biotype. Efforts for surveying began immediately in March 2005 and have continued through present day. Pest alerts and educational efforts from the FDACS-DPI and the University of Florida have played a key role in getting involvement from growers, extension agents and agricultural inspectors. As of November 1, 2006 there have been a total of five Counties in Florida in which the Q biotype has been detected.