The white fly Bemisia tabaci was not considered an important agricultural pest unti the early 1980s when a new agressive form called biotype B was observed. It attacks a wide range of hose plantsover 500 species in 74 families have been recorded so far. It damages plants by direct feeding (sap-sucking), contamination and by vectoring virus diseases and has spread to the South Pacific. identification relies on the use of molecular markers. This small project will survey up to 17 South Pacific countries to determine which biotype of Bemisia tabaci occur in which countries. natural enemies of B. tabaci will also be studied with the aim of identifying a possible biological control agent.