Environmental Entomology (1999) 28, 1154-1161

S. Ekesi, N.K. Maniania, K. Ampong-Nyarko and I. Onu (1999)
Effect of intercropping cowpea with maize on the performance of Metarhizium anisopliae against Megalurothrips sjostedti (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and predators
Environmental Entomology 28 (6), 1154-1161
Abstract: Field experiments were conducted to assess the combined effects of intercropping cowpea with maize and the application of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorok. or synthetic insecticide on the density of Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom) and the yield of cowpea. Thrips density and damage were significantly lower in the intercrop treated with fungus than in the control plots. Mortality caused by mycosis was significantly higher in cowpea intercrop than in the monocrop. Flower and pod production were significantly higher within the intercrop treated with M. anisopliae than in the monocrop also treated with fungus. In both seasons, grain yields in the cowpea intercrop treated with M. anisopliae did not differ from yields within cowpea intercrop treated with Karate (Lambda-cyhalothrin). M. anisopliae had no adverse effect on populations of nontarget organisms. Our results suggest that M. anisopliae is a promising candidate for the management of M. sjostedti, especially within a cowpea/maize intercropping systems.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Sunday Ekesi, Kwesi Ampong-Nyarko, Nguya K. Maniania

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
environment - cropping system/rotation
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Megalurothrips sjostedti	Cowpea and relatives (Vigna)
Metarhizium anisopliae (entomopathogen)	Megalurothrips sjostedti	Cowpea and relatives (Vigna)