Kenya: Study shows strong evidence of exceptional efficiency of biological control agent against papaya mealybug pest
Fresh Papaya
Fruits
Kenya
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
Innovation & Technology
Published Nov 7, 2023
Tridge summary
A study conducted by CABI has found that a biological control agent called Acerophagus papayae is highly effective in reducing populations of the papaya mealybug, which poses a significant threat to papaya crops in Kenya and other parts of Africa. Female parasitoids of A. papayae play a crucial role in pest control through host feeding and oviposition, leading to a reduction in the mealybug populations. The study also highlights the benefits of using classical biological control methods instead of relying on chemical insecticides, which are harmful to the environment.
Disclaimer: The above summary was generated by a state-of-the-art LLM model and is intended for informational purposes only. It is recommended that readers refer to the original article for more context.
Original content
A CABI-led study has revealed “strong evidence of exceptional efficiency” of a biological control agent in the fight against the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) which threatens papaya crops in Kenya and other parts of Africa. The researchers, who outlined their findings in the journal Crop Protection, found that female parasitoids play a pivotal role in pest control through host feeding or oviposition, leading to the reduction of papaya mealybug (PMB) populations. Accordingly, CABI scientists and colleagues from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and Kenyatta University, said Acerophagus papayae is a “good candidate” to control PMB which, in Kenya, causes crop losses ranging from 53-100%. Serious threat to major papaya growing counties in Kenya CABI, KEPHIS and KALRO estimate the value of the crop losses to be £2,224/ha annually and as such the PMB poses a serious threat to all 10 of the major ...
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