Focus on . . . Biological control of pests.
In this edition of New Agriculturist we focus on biological control of pests and diseases and we are grateful to those who have contributed articles on what is, for scientist and layman alike, a fascinating aspect of agriculture. As usual we regret that it has not been possible to highlight all the work that is currently being undertaken in this field. However, we will be pleased to hear from any individual or institution that would like to contribute information on their successes, hopes, or even failures. We have taken one step beyond classical biological control, to cover microbiology in the form of fungal pathogens, but we have resisted the temptation to cover integrated pest management more generally, preferring to cover this broader subject in a later edition.
The sweet smell of success
Many stemborers (insect larvae that burrow into the stem of the plant) are native to Africa and have always been a problem to farmers. But, one particularly damaging species, Chilo partellus, has invaded Africa from the Indian sub-continent and is now . . .
Biological control of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei)
The coffee berry borer is an important world-wide pest which is difficult to control by spraying because much of its life cycle occurs deep inside the berry. Manual control (hand picking of berries) is laborious and expensive. Biological control . . .
Ladybird, ladybird, fly to the scent!
With their wide range of bright colours and patterns, most ladybird species (Coccinellidae) have for many years been actively encouraged by gardeners and farmers for their usefulness as pest predators. As small beetles, ladybirds . . .
Mycoinsecticide for grasshopper and locust control
The long-running project, LUBILOSA (LUtte BIologique contre les LOcustes et SAutériaux), has recently seen its efforts crowned with success - this time with the launching of two commercial products based on the entomopathogenic fungus . . .
Biological control of the hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus a success in the Caribbean.
For many years, the Caribbean remained free of devastating exotic pests. This situation was dramatically changed in 1994 when the hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicocccus hirsutus was identified by taxonomists at . . .
Bearing down on the borer beetle
In less than two decades, the Larger Grain Borer (LGB), Prostephanus truncatus, has spread relatively unchecked from Tanzania, where it was first discovered, to 13 countries in East and West Africa. The pest is not only . . .
Viral spray for pigeonpea pest
Pigeonpea is a popular grain legume, grown for its valuable contribution of nitrogen to the soil and to other crops when intercropped with cereals such as maize, sorghum and millet and with other crops such as cotton. In addition, it is . . .
Africa has 75 million hectares of land that can grow cereals, but two thirds of it is now infested with Striga hermonthica. Other species of striga parasitise leguminous crops such as cowpeas. Striga can cause crop losses as high as. . .
Cassava pests: from crisis to control
The cassava mealybug (Phenacocus manihoti) and cassava green mite (Monoychellus tanajoa) invaded Africa in the early 1970s and, by 1987, had spread to 31 countries causing . . .
Rather than pit insect predator against insect prey, the Lethal Insect Technique uses biological control in an entirely different way. Sinister though it sounds, the pest insects themselves destroy their fellows by . . .
Further information can be found on the following organisation's web sites.
IITA http://www.cgiar.org/iita
IACR Rothamsted http://www.res.bbsrc.ac.uk/
CABI http://www.cabi.org/
ICRISAT http://www.cgiar.org/icrisat/
ICIPE icipe@cgiar.org
