Plant inhabiting phytoseiid predators of midwestern Brazil, with emphasis on those associated with the tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

Times Cited: 0International audienceThe fauna of phytoseiid mites in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, in midwestern Brazil, is poorly known. The tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard, is an important pest of Solanaceae in several countries, but it is usually found in low densities in Brazil. It has been hypothesized that this is due to the effect of natural enemies. The objective of this study was to identify phytoseiid mites from Mato Grosso do Sul associated with T. evansi, to identify promising biological control agents for T. evansi in Africa. A survey was conducted in October – November 2002, sampling more than 70 plant species of 30 families, including 16 solanaceous species. The results of this survey provide some additional information to the scant knowledge on the phytoseiids from Mato Grosso do Sul. In total, 471 phytoseiids were collected, belonging to 12 Amblyseiinae and two Phytoseiinae species. The most frequent and abundant species was Euseius citrifolius Denmark and Muma, followed by Euseius concordis (Chant). Also, 3,493 tetranychids were found. Tetranychus evansi was found in Aquidauna on Solanum americanum (Miller), associated with E. citrifolius and Typhlodromalus aripo De Leon; in Corumba, on S. americanum associated with E. concordis and Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark and Muma; and in Dourados, on Solanum lycopersicum (L.), associated with E. citrifolius, Proprioseiopsis mexicanus (Garman) and Proprioseiopsis ovatus (Garman). However, none of the phytoseiids found are considered to be a promising biological control agent of T. evansi, based on both their inconsistent association with the pest and on available information about each species

Challenges of Integrated Pest Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

a response to the negative side effects of chemical control in the developed world, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) developed with an emphasis on reducing the role of pesticides. Later the role of natural enemies was recognized as being the cornerstone for sustainable pest management strategies. The IPM concept initially stressed the combination of control tactics while afterwards the empowerment of farmers in managing their own agro-ecosystems became the focus. Reasons are given why integrated pest management has been instrumental in making the Farmer Field School (FFS) prominent in sectors such as nutrient management, animal husbandry and health. FAO started with an IPM project in subsistence crops in Africa, but because of its low impact on farmers’ livelihoods changed to crops with a higher consumption of pesticides such as cotton and rice. Some pests like locusts require the attention of the central government. The multiple dimensions of desert locust problems are highlighted, and the realization that its solution is more operational than technical. Invasive pests are a continuous threat, and classical biological attempts have been highly successful. Some examples of technical IPM components such as varietal resistance, the judicious use of chemicals, agronomic practices, and biological control are given. However, it appeared that the adoption rate by farmers of proposed technologies is low. It is argued that farmers face very small windows of opportunities. Therefore, institutional development needs as much attention as technological improvement. A number of examples are given to illustrate this poin