Applied Entomology and Zoology (2020) 55, 355-359

Dat Nguyen Tuan, Layheng Sam, Chi Zhang, Chau Nguyen Ngoc Bao, Shun-ichiro Takano and Keiji Takasu (2020)
Taro Colocasia esculenta as an alternative host plant for rearing cassava mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and its parasitoid Anagyrus lopezi (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)
Applied Entomology and Zoology 55 (3), 355-359
Abstract: So far, Phenacoccus manihoti (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) has been reared mainly with cassava. To explore alternative host plant for rearing of P. manihoti and its parasitoid Anagyrus lopezi De Santis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), we examined suitability of taro Colocasia esculenta (L.) (Alismatales: Araceae) for rearing them in the laboratory, which was compared with that of cassava seedling. Either 50 newly hatched mealybug nymphs or parasitized third-instar mealybugs were reared on taro or cassava seedlings to examine immature development, fecundity and longevity of adults. Nearly 90% of P. manihoti reared on taro successfully developed to adults and they produced 230 eggs on average in their lifetime, while insects reared on cassava showed 95% survival and 250 eggs of lifetime fecundity. For A. lopezi, immature survival was 86% and they laid 140 eggs on average on taro, while it was 88% and 140 eggs on cassava. The results suggested that taro can be used for rearing of P. manihoti and its parasitoid A. lopezi.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Keiji Takasu

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
rearing/culturing/mass production
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phenacoccus manihoti	Cassava (Manihot esculenta)
Apoanagyrus lopezi (parasitoid)	Phenacoccus manihoti