Entomophaga (1991) 36, 455-469

J. Boussienguet, P. Neuenschwander and H.R. Herren (1991)
Essais de lutte biologique contre la Cochenille du manioc au Gabon: I. - Établissement, dispersion du parasite exotique Epidinocarsis lopezi [Hym.: Encyrtidae] et déplacement compétitif des parasites indigènes
Entomophaga 36 (3), 455-469
Abstract: The exotic parasite, Epidinocarsis lopezi De Santis (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) was introduced in Gabon for the biological control of the Cassava mealybug (CM), Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero in 1986. The establishment of the parasite after introduction, shows a speed of dispersal of 70 to 120 km/year. The parasite spread more slowly in the rain forest than in the savannah zone. Changes in the parasitization rates according to CM density shows that the parasite is capable of maintaining a percentage of parasitism of 20 to 56% over a range of host densities of 2 to 16 parasitizable mealybugs. The establishment of the introduced parasite results in a competitive displacement of the local primary parasites and in a decline of the relative abundance of the hyperparasites in the fauna associated with the CM.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: French)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Peter Neuenschwander

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
classical biocontrol/new introduction

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

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