Classical biological control of the papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the Republic of Palau

The papaya mealybug (PM), Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a pest in Central America and the Caribbean, was noted to have established on Palau in March 2003 and was causing serious damage to papaya, plumeria, hibiscus, and other plants. The parasitoids Anagyrus loecki Noyes, Pseudleptomastix mexicana Noyes and Schauff, and Acerophagus papayae Noyes and Schauff (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) totaling 24,586 were imported from Puerto Rico and field released in Palau from August 2003 to June 2004. Anagyrus loecki and A. papayae appear to be promising biological control agents of PM in Palau. No field recovery of P. mexicana was made in spite of several field releases. The reduction of the papaya mealybug population density levels below detectable levels was observed in a six-month period following the introduction of these exotic parasitoids. Following the successful implementation of a classical biological control program, the risk of this mealybug spreading to other islands in the Republic of Palau and to neighboring Micronesian Islands has been considerably reduced

Orange Spiny Whitefly, Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), and Its Parasitoids in the Republic of Palau

The orange spiny whitefly (OSW), Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the relatively new pests of citrus in the Republic of Palau. It is a problem on citrus trees and rose plants in home gardens. The leaves, fruit and branches of infested trees are generally covered with sooty mold. Also decline in vigor and yield was observed in infested trees. Surveys were conducted to assess the distribution and population density of A. spiniferus and the occurrence of parasitoids in Palau. The number of citrus trees examined for OSW was 59 citrus trees in Koror, 41 in Babeldaob, 25 in Angaur, 14 in Kayangal and 30 in Peleliu. The islands of Angaur and Kayangel were free of A. spiniferus while Koror, Babeldaob and Peleliu were infested. This whitefly was observed in almost all parts of the island of Koror, in the village of Klauklu in Peleliu and in the States Airai, Aimeliik, Ngatpang (Ibobang), Melekeok, Ngiwal, and Ngarchelong in the island of Babeldaob. The parasitoids, Encarsia aseta Hayat and Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Amitus sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) have been collected from Koror, E. aseta has been collected from Babeldaob, and none from Peleliu. Percent parasitism from collected samples varied from 0 to 42%

Strengthening biosecurity capacity of Palau – FAO project tcp/pl/3601/c1

This report documents the accomplishments of Project TCP/PLW/3601/C1 “Strengthening Biosecurity Capacity of Palau”. These include: (i) preparation of the draft Aquatic Biosecurity Regulations for Aquatic Organisms (plus Annexures) and the draft Biofouling Management Regulations; (ii) the convening of a National Consultation, held 28 March 2017 in Koror, with some 30 participants representing government, the private sector and academe to discuss the draft regulations; (iii) the conduct of a Biosecurity Database Development Training Course, held 24/27 March 2017 at the National Capitol; and (iv) the preparation of a Framework for a Biosecurity Database. The report presents several lists of recommendations arising from the various project activities, the most urgent of which is that: “Recent introductions and transfers of live aquatic animals (both legal and illegal) are highly unsafe and have unnecessarily put future aquaculture development and local biodiversity at risk due to the possibility of introducing serious exotic pathogens and the possible genetic and ecological impacts of introduced and transferred species. The Government of Palau should take immediate steps to correct these practices. All introductions and transfers of live aquatic animals should be prohibited until such time as the draft Aquatic Biosecurity Regulations have been enacted and such species have been considered through the mechanisms contained therein.