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Geographical distribution and host range in Nigeria of the mango mealy bug, Rastrococcus invadens Williams, a serious exotic pest of horticulture and other crops

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Matt. F. Ivbijaro ,
N. Udensis ,
U. M. Ukwela  and
F. V. Anno-Nyako
Matt. F. Ivbijaro
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
N. Udensis
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
U. M. Ukwela
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
F. V. Anno-Nyako
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Abstract

The geographical distribution and host range in Nigeria of the mango mealy bug, Rastrococcus invadens Williams (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a serious exotic insect pest of mango and many other crops is reported. The spread of R. invadens in Nigeria is at present limited to Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States of the humid south-west contiguous with the Republic of Benin, where the incidence of the pest has previously been reported.

Infestation has not been observed in any of the 11 states of the north nor in the Federal Capital Territory all of which have lower rainfall and relative humidity. R. invadens is highly polyphagous on over 20 species of host plants in 12 different plant families ranging from fruit crops which constituted 42.85% of the crops attacked, to food crops (14.28%), and to shade trees and ornamentals (42.85%). Severity of attack which was based on the number and area of foliage, Inflorescence and fruits attacked by R. invadens alone or together with sooty mould was highest in mango, citrus, breadfruit, guava and ornamentals including oleander, frangipani and roses. Hosts with mild infestation include maize, pawpaw and croton. The frequency with which infested plants are being felled, burnt or sprayed with synthetic chemicals suggests the panic which R. invadens attack has caused to growers.

Résumé

L'étude porte sur la distribution géographique et la gamme des hôtes infestés au Nigéria par Rastroccocus invadens Williams (Hémiptères: Pseudococcidae), un insecte exotique très dangereux pour le manguier et d'autres arbres.

L'aire d'attaque de R. invadens au Nigéria se limite actuellement aux états de Lagos, d'Ogun et d'Oyo dans la partie sud-ouest et humide du pays, à la frontière de la République du Bénin où l'incidence du fléau a déjà été signaiée. Cette infestation nes' observe pas encore dans aucun des onze états au nord du pays, ni dans le territoire capital fédéral aux précipitations et humidités réduites.

R. invadens est fort polyphage; on le trouve sur 20 espèces de plants appartenant à 12 families différentes, comprenant les arbres fruitiers qui constituent 42,85% des plants infestés, les cultures vivrières (14,28%) et les arbres décoratifs à ombre (42,85%).

La gravité de l'infestation; basée sur le nombre et la partie du feuillage, de l'inflorescence et des fruits où se trouve R. invadens, seui ou en association avec la moislssure noire, est très élevée chez le manguier, le citronnier, l'arbre à pain, le goyavier et les arbres décoratifs, y compris les oléandres, les frangipaniers et les roslers. Les hôtes légèrement atteints comprennent le maïs, le papayer et le croton.

La fréquence avec laquelle les plants infestés sont coupés, brûlés ou arrosés d'insecticides souligne l'état de panique crée par R. invadens chez les cultivateurs.

Keywords

Rastrococcus invadensgeographical distributionhost rangeindigenous natural enemiessocio-economic implicationscontrol potentials
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , June 1992 , pp. 411 - 416
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1992

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References

REFERENCES

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