London rocket is a common winter annual weed in southern New Mexico that can host beet curly top virus and its insect vector, the beet leafhopper. Experiments were conducted in southern New Mexico to determine if London rocket could serve as a host for overwintering beet leafhopper. Field experiments were carried out from 2002 to 2003 and from 2003 to 2004 to compare the impact of three London rocket planting dates on plant emergence and life history and leafhopper survival. Emergence was highest in October-planted London rocket, low in January/February plantings, and did not occur for August plantings. The life cycle was 185 d and 125 d for October- and January-planted London rocket, respectively, and growth of the plant (including height and rosette base diameter) was greater for London rocket that was planted in October. October-planted London rocket survived from late October through mid to late April, the period of time needed to serve as an overwintering host for beet leafhoppers. Caging the plants to assess beet leafhopper survival did not affect rate of plant growth, but it reduced the time to flowering for October-planted London rocket and increased the height and weight of plants. Beet leafhoppers were able to survive for approximately 2 mo in early winter or spring on caged London rocket plants.

A species in the Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) complex was detected in Kenya during 2003 and classified as Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White. Having spread rapidly throughout Africa, it threatens agriculture due to crop damage and loss of market access. In a recent revision of the B. dorsalis complex, B. invadens was incorporated into the species B. dorsalis. The potential distribution of B. dorsalis has been previously modelled. However, previous models were based on presence data and did not incorporate information on the seasonal phenology of B. dorsalis, nor on the possible influence that irrigation may have on its distribution. Methyl eugenol-baited traps were used to collect B. dorsalis in Africa. Seasonal phenology data, measured as fly abundance throughout the year, was related to each location's climate to infer climatic growth response parameters. These functions were used along with African distribution records and development studies to fit the niche model for B. dorsalis, using independent global distribution records outside Africa for model validation. Areas at greatest risk of invasion by B. dorsalis are South and Central America, Mexico, southernmost USA, parts of the Mediterranean coast, parts of Southern and Eastern Australia and New Zealand's North Island. Under irrigation, most of Africa and Australia appear climatically suitable.