Evaluation of Serangium n. sp. (Col., Coccinellidae), a predator of Bemisia tabaci (Hom., Aleyrodidae) on cassava |
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| Authors: | P. Asiimwe J. S. Ecaat M. Guershon S. Kyamanywa D. Gerling J. P. Legg |
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| Affiliation: | International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Uganda, Kampala;;Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda;;Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel;;International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;;Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The potential of a new, previously unidentified Serangium species (Col., Coccinellidae) to control the high Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hom., Aleyrodidae) populations on cassava was evaluated. Field and laboratory studies were carried out to determine the abundance and feeding capacity of this Serangium species feeding on B. tabaci on cassava. Serangium nymphs and adults were most abundant in cassava fields late in the season, rising sharply from 5 months after planting (MAP) to a peak at 7–8 MAP. Pre-imaginal development averaged 21.2 days and was longest in eggs and shortest in the L1 instar. Mean total prey consumption of immature Serangium increased with the stage of development with the lowest consumption in the L1 instar and highest in the L4 instar. Mean daily consumption was lowest on the first day after hatching in the L1 instar and rose to a peak on the 13th day after hatching in the L4 instar. Each Serangium larva consumed a mean of over 1000 nymphs during its entire development. These results have demonstrated the potential of this Serangium species to control B. tabaci populations on cassava. |
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| Keywords: | biological control pre-imaginal development prey abundance prey consumption |
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