Re: Import TC to Hawaii
My understanding is that only species of one genera is a known vector, and a second sp. of that genus is considered a potential but unlikely vector. I read somewhere that most naturally occurring new infections occur within 60 feet(+/-) of the prior host.
When I lived in Kailua (Oahu) I did see BBTV hopscotch down the block, but my lot on the Big I is very isolated and the nearest banana is at least 1,000 feet away. It's not imposiible that an aphid could blow in during a storm, but I think it is far more risky to start bringing material in.
I'd always assumed that TC growers would have their source material tested, but from what I've been reading lately it sounds like the process of culturing can have some unintended consequences.
This paper was a bit above my pay grade, but I'm pretty sure I caught the gist of it correctly.
https: //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20078782/
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