Screening of native whitefly from host specificity testing list continues with the following results of host testing of Eretmocerus hayati.

The following whitefly species have been tested:

Lipaleyrodes euphorbiae - no parasitism

Lipaleyrodes atriplex - less than 20% parasitism, adult parasitoids die upon emergence

Bemisia afer -no attack

Bemisia gigantea- no attack

Bemisia sp (saltbush) - test running

Additional species of whitefly tested;

Dumbletoniella eucalypti- no attack

Aleurocanthus spiniferus- no attack

Bemisia subdecipiens - site detected, bushfire destroyed site

Bemisia giffardi- source detected, collection in progress.

Due to silverleaf whitefly expansion in other vegetable crops and outbreaks in commercial production

regions in Qld, the industry has requested meetings and information sessions. For that reason technology

transfer activities were initiated. A large scale tomato trial was conducted to evaluate the best insecticide options combined with the use of

damage thresholds. The two best management options (BMO) were tested with two industry standard

practices.

Four large silverleaf whitefly meetings and information sessions were conducted in Qld

covering the major vegetable production regions. The subject areas covered in the meetings included

insecticide permits, best chemical use strategies, information on new chemistry, crop monitoring, spray

threshold, resistance management, parasitoids and best farm practices. All these meetings were well

attended by the industry and the participants included vegetable growers, crop consultants, chemical

company representatives, resellers, researchers and extension officers. Presentation notes, permit

information and handouts. Best use of IGR against SLW in vegetable crops, and sample spray programs were distributed to participants.