New Technologies for Rearing Epidinocarsis lopezi (Hym., Encyrtidae), a Biological Control Agent Against the Cassava Mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti (Hom., Pseudococcidae)

AbstractThe encyrtid wasp Epidinocarsis lopezi (De Santis) has been introduced into Africa as a biological control agent against the cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero. This host has a defense reaction against the immature parasitoid that involves encapsulation and melanization. Under laboratory conditions, 37.5% of once-stung cassava mealybugs had been parasitized, as indicated by eggs and larvae of the parasitoid in dissected hosts. Of these parasitized cassava mealybugs, 89.6% contained melanized particles (egg, partially melanized larva, internal host tissues, exoskeleton wound scars). Some of the parasitoid larvae were only partially melanized, and either freed themselves from the melanized capsule or else shed it at the next molt. By the 3rd day of their development only 12.5% were completely melanized. In cassava mealybugs with melanized host tissue but no living parasitoid, the survival of the host was not affected by the melanization. The mealybug itself sometimes shed black particles at the next molt and these were found attached to the cast skins. When superparasitized in the laboratory, 68.6% of twice-stung cassava mealybugs contained parasitoids. Mummies collected from a field experiment showed that melanization rates of mummies increased with increasing parasitization rates. Thus, melanization in the cassava mealybug was commonly triggered when E. lopezi oviposited, but this defense reaction was mostly ineffective, permitting the introduced parasitoid to be a successful biological control agent in Africa against the cassava mealybug, a major pest on this important food crop.

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Food web of insects associated with the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), and its introduced parasitoid, Epidinocarsis lopezi (De Santis) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), in Africa

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300011664 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 77 (2) ◽

pp. 177-189 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

P. Neuenschwander ◽

R. D. Hennessey ◽

H. R. Herren

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Food Web ◽

Food Source ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Agent ◽

Phenacoccus Manihoti ◽

Epidinocarsis Lopezi ◽

Cassava Mealybug ◽

First Time

AbstractAbout 130 species of parasitoids and predators are reported, most of them for the first time, to be associated directly or indirectly with the cassava pest Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero and its parasitoid, Epidinocarsis lopezi (De Santis), newly introduced into Africa as a biological control agent. About 20 species are common. The species are grouped in 11 guilds, which include the indigenous hyperparasitoids, which originally attacked parasitoids of other mealybugs, the predators with which E. lopezi competes for the same food source and their antagonists.

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KUTU PUTIH SINGKONG, PHENACOCCUS MANIHOTI MATILE-FERRERO (HEMIPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE): PERSEBARAN GEOGRAFI DI PULAU JAWA DAN RINTISAN PENGENDALIAN HAYATI

JURNAL HAMA DAN PENYAKIT TUMBUHAN TROPIKA ◽

10.23960/j.hptt.1171-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Budi Abduchalek ◽

Aunu Rauf ◽

Pudjianto .

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Field Survey ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Program ◽

Control Agent ◽

Phenacoccus Manihoti ◽

Stunted Growth ◽

Cassava Mealybug ◽

Introduced Pest

Cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae): Geographic distribution in Java and initiation of biological control. Cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Psedococcidae), is a recently introduced pest in Indonesia. Parasitoid Anagyrus lopezi (De Santis) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was imported to control the pest. Studies were conducted to determine geographic distribution of P. manihoti throughout Java, and to evaluate the potential of the parasitoid as a biological control agent. Geographic distribution of the pest was determined through field survey, whereas evaluation of the parasitoid was studied through cage experiment and field release. Our survey revealed that the cassava mealybug has spread throughout Java. Heavy infestations caused shortened and distorted stems, complete defoliation, and stunted growth. In cages containing only mealybugs, all cassava plants (100%) died after two months. Whereas in cages containing both mealybugs and three pairs of parasitoid, rate of parasitization was 25% and plant mortality 20%. Parasitoids released in the field were able to survive, reproduce, and establish under Bogor climatic condition. These might indicate that parasitoid A. lopezi is a potential natural enemy to be used in biological control program of the cassava mealybug.

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Biological control of the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti by the exotic parasitoid Epidinocarsis lopezi in Africa

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1988.0012 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 318 (1189) ◽

pp. 319-333 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Population Dynamics ◽

South America ◽

Reproductive Potential ◽

Field Studies ◽

Phenacoccus Manihoti ◽

Epidinocarsis Lopezi ◽

Southwestern Nigeria ◽

Cassava Mealybug ◽

Accidental Introduction

Since its accidental introduction into Africa, the cassava mealybug (CM) has spread to about 25 countries. The specific parasitoid Epidinocarsis lopezi , introduced from South America, its area of origin, into Nigeria in 1981, has since been released in more than 50 sites. By the end of 1986 it was established in 16 countries and more than 750 000 km 2 . In southwestern Nigeria, CM populations declined after two initial releases, and have since remained low. During the same period, populations of indigenous predators of CM , mainly coccinellids, have declined, as have indigenous hyperparasitoids on E. lopezi , because of scarcer hosts. Results from laboratory bionomic studies were incorporated into a simulation model. The model, field studies on population dynamics, and experiments excluding E. lopezi by physical or chemical means demonstrate its efficiency, despite its low reproductive potential.

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Biological control of the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti (Hom., Pseudococcidae) by Epidinocarsis lopezi (Hym., Encyrtidae) in West Africa, as influenced by climate and soil

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment ◽

10.1016/0167-8809(90)90122-t ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 32 (1-2) ◽

pp. 39-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

P. Neuenschwander ◽

W.N.O. Hammond ◽

O. Ajuonu ◽

A. Gado ◽

N. Echendu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

West Africa ◽

Phenacoccus Manihoti ◽

Epidinocarsis Lopezi ◽

Cassava Mealybug

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Interference by ants in biological control of the cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Ghana

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300041730 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 83 (1) ◽

pp. 15-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

A. R. Cudjoe ◽

P. Neuenschwander ◽

M. J. W. Copland

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Edge Effects ◽

Rain Forest ◽

The Other ◽

Phenacoccus Manihoti ◽

Epidinocarsis Lopezi ◽

Population Densities ◽

Pheidole Megacephala ◽

Cassava Mealybug ◽

Parasitism Rates

AbstractIn surveys of cassava fields in the coastal savanna and rain forest zones of Ghana, eight species of ants, mostly in the genera Camponotus, Crematogaster and Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), were found attending cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero. Ant densities were much higher in the rain forest than in the savanna and, in most zones, positively correlated to mealybug population densities. Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius) was the only species more abundant in the interior of fields, whereas the other species preferred the edges of fields or, like Camponotus spp., did not respond to edge effects. Weediness of the fields did not clearly influence the presence of ants. Crematogaster sp. and P. megacephala spent most of the time on cassava tips, where they built carton tents. Ants of the three genera reduced parasitism rates by the exotic Epidinocarsis lopezi (De Santis) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) to half, compared to the rates observed on mealybug colonies of equal size that were not attended. Hyperparasitism by Prochiloneurus insolitus (Alam) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Chartocerus hyalipennis Hayat (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae) and predation by the indigenous Exochomus troberti Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were similarly reduced. Where ants were excluded experimentally by insectcide barriers, parasitism was 32%, compared to only 10% in the control, and predator densities were reduced three-fold. In a 24 h experiment, Pheidole megacephala was observed to remove about half the E. troberti larvae; Crematogaster sp. and Camponotus spp. were less efficient. The results show the locally strong interference of ants with biological control of the cassava mealybug. Despite this interference, mealybug populations in the rain forest were judged to be below damaging levels.

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