Prospects of classical biological control of papaya mealybug in Kenya: Performance of its exotic parasitoid, Acerophagus papayae, under laboratory and field conditions

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2023.106476
• Publication Date: 2023-10-17T15:49:17Z
• Authors: Selpha Opisa; Fernadis Makale; Johnson O. Nyasani; Alexander Muvea; Mellon Kabole; Duncan Chacha; Lakpo Koku Agboyi; George O. Asudi; Abdul Rehman; Belinda Luke; Ivan Rwomushana
• Keywords: Mealybug

Papaya mealybug (PMB), Paracoccus marginatus, native to Mexico and Central America, invaded Kenya in 2016 causing severe yield losses of between 57% 91% £2224/ha household economic annually. A classical biological program for PMB involved the importation Acerophagus papayae, a koinobiont endoparasitoid, from Ghana into quarantine facility at Agricultural Livestock Research Organization, Muguga. Laboratory bioassays were conducted evaluate suitability A. papayae parasitize PMB. Parasitism rates, sex ratio development time parasitoid evaluated under choice no-choice experimental conditions. High parasitism rates 72.5 ± 5.9 75.0 3.8% recorded third instar adult female PMB, respectively, lower 43.8 4.6 % second instars, test Significant differences host noted when was offered several stages, with instars being preferred over instars. Adult females parasitoids released monitored their establishment six papaya farms Coastal region December 2021 November 2022. Parasitoid recovered within first month release. levels varied across sites highest 72.89 Kwale. Findings this study highlight potential as good candidate control Africa beyond.