Economics of biological control of cassava mealybug in Africa

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-0862.2001.tb00024.x
• Publication Date: 2005-08-09T05:29:39Z
• Authors: J. Zeddies; R.P. Schaab; P. Neuenschwander; H.R. Herren
• Keywords: Mealybug; Encyrtidae; Tropical Agriculture

Abstract Pest populations of the cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti Mat.‐Ferr. (Homoptera; Pseudococcidae) were reduced successfully by biological control agent Apoanagyrus (Epidinocarsis) lopezi De Santis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) throughout most sub‐Saharan Africa. The economics project evaluated based on data from field trials, socio‐economic surveys, published results, and financial information provided International Institute Tropical Agriculture (IITA) national programmes. Costs benefits for P. calculated over 40 years (1974–2013) 27 African countries, four different scenarios, taking into account that impact A . speed differ between ecological zones. reasonable calculation considering compounded interest resulted in a benefit cost ratio about 200 when was costed at world market prices, 370–740 inter‐African prices considered.