Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of the entomopathogenic fungus Neozygites tanajoae and the predatory mite Typhlodromalus aripo on cassava green mite densities: screenhouse experiments

  • Published:
BioControl Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To improve biocontrol of the cassava green mite, Mononychellus tanajoa, a series of screenhouse experiments were conducted on cassava to determine the effects of single and combined releases of the predatory mite Typhlodromalus aripo and the entomopathogenic fungus Neozygites tanajoae on the suppression of M. tanajoa. We showed that, separately or in combination, T. aripo and N. tanajoae significantly reduced M. tanajoa populations. Moreover, combined release of T. aripo and N. tanajoae on the same cassava plants improved M. tanajoa control. However, our data suggest between T. aripo and N. tanajoae an asymmetric competition that significantly affected N. tanajoae only. This interference is indirect, probably mediated by their common prey or host mite, M. tanajoa since N. tanajoae is not pathogenic to T. aripo. We conclude that adding N. tanajoae to T. aripo populations in Africa would not negatively affect T. aripo and would further promote biocontrol of M. tanajoa.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agboton BV, Hanna R, Hountondji FCC, von Tiedemann A (2009) Pathogenicity and host specificity of Brazilian and African isolates of the acaropathogenic fungus Neozygites tanajoae to mite species associated with cassava. J Appl Entomol 133:651–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agboton BV, Hanna R, von Tiedemann A (2011) Molecular detection of establishment and geographical distribution of Brazilian isolates of Neozygites tanajoae, a fungus pathogenic to cassava green mite, in Benin (West Africa). Exp Appl Acarol 53:235–244

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Agboton BV, Hanna R, Onzo A, Vidal S, von Tiedemann A (2013) Interactions between the predatory mite Typhlodromalus aripo and the entomopathogenic fungus Neozygites tanajoae and consequences for the suppression of their shared prey/host Mononychellus tanajoa. Exp Appl Acarol. doi:10.1007/s10493-012-9630-1

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chant DA, McMurtry JA (2005) A review of the subfamily Amblyseiinae Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae). VI. The tribe Euseiini n. tribe, subtribes Typhlodromalina n. subtribe, Euseiina n. subtribe, and Ricoseiina n. subtribe. Int J Acarol 31:187–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delalibera I Jr, Sosa-Gomes DR, De Moraes GJ, Alenca JA, Farias AW (1992) Infection of Mononychellus tanajoa (Acari: Tetranychidae) by the fungus Neozygites sp. (Entomophthorales) in Northeastern Brazil. Fla Entomol 75:145–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delalibera I Jr, Hajek AE, Humber RA (2004) Neozygites tanajoaesp. nov., a pathogen of the cassava green mite. Mycologia 96:1002–1009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delalibera JI, Demetrio CGB, Manly BFJ, Hajek AE (2006) Effect of relative humidity and origin of isolates of Neozygites tanajoae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) on production of conidia from cassava green mite, Mononychellus tanajoa (Acari: Tetranychidae), cadavers. Biol Control 39:489–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanna R, Onzo A, Lingeman R, Yaninek JS, Sabelis MW (2005) Seasonal cycles and persistence in an acarine predator-prey system on cassava in Africa. Popul Ecol 47:107–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hountondji FCC, Yaninek JS, De Moraes GJ, Odour GI (2002a) Host specificity of the cassava green mite pathogen Nezygites floridana. BioControl 47:61–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hountondji FCC, Lomer CJ, Hanna R, Cherry AJ, Dara SK (2002b) Field evaluation of Brazilian isolates of Neozygites floridana (Entomophthorales: Neozygitaceae) for the Microbial Control of Cassava Green Mite in Benin, West Africa. Biocontrol Sci Technol 12:361–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hountondji FCC, Hanna R, Cherry AJ, Sabelis MW, Agboton B, Korie S (2007) Scaling up tests on virulence of the cassava green mite fungal pathogen Neozygites tanajoae (Entomophthorales: Neozygitaceae) under controlled conditions: first observations at the population level. Exp Appl Acarol 41:153–168

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moraes GJ, Zannou ID, Oliveira AR, Yaninek JS, Hanna R (2006) Phytoseiid mites of the subtribes Typhlodromalina and Euseiina (Acari: Phytoseiidae: Euseiini) from sub-Saharan Africa. Zootaxa 1114:1–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyiira ZM (1972) Report of investigations of cassava mite, Mononychellus tanajoa Bondar. Unpublished Report Kawanda Research Station, Kampala, Ouganda, p 14

    Google Scholar 

  • Oduor GI, de Moraes GJ, van der Geest LPS, Yaninek JS (1996) Production and germination of primary conidia of Neozygites floridana (Zygomycetes: Entomophtorales) under constant temperatures, humidities and photoperiods. J Invert Pathol 68:213–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Onzo A, Hanna R, Zannou I, Sabelis MW, Yaninek JS (2003a) Dynamics of refuge use: Diurnal, vertical migration by predatory and herbivorous mites within cassava plants. Oikos 101:59–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Onzo A, Hanna R, Sabelis MW (2003b) Interactions in an acarine predator guild: impact on Typhlodromalus aripo abundance and biological control of cassava green mite in Africa. Exp Appl Acarol 31:225–241

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Onzo A, Hanna R, Sabelis MW (2012) The predatory mite Typhlodromalus aripo prefers green-mite induced plant odours from pubescent cassava varieties. Exp Appl Acarol 58:359–370

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute (2003) SAS statistical package version 9.1 (TS1M0). SAS Institute Inc, Cary, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Yaninek JS, Hanna R (2003) Cassava green mite in Africa a unique example of successful biological control of a mite pest on a continental scale. In: Neuenschwander P, Borgemeister C, Langewald J (eds) Biological control in IPM Systems in Africa. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, pp 61–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Yaninek JS, Herren HR (1988) Introduction and spread of the cassava green mite, Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) (Acari: Tetranychidae), an exotic pest in Africa and the search for appropriate control methods: a review. Bull Entomol Res 78:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yaninek JS, Onzo A, Ojo B (1993) Continent-wide releases of neotropical phytoseiids against the exotic cassava green mite in Africa. Exp Appl Acarol 17:145–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Yaninek JS, Saizonou S, Onzo A, Zannou I, Gnanvossou D (1996) Seasonal and habitat variability in the fungal pathogens, Neozygites cf. floridana and Hirsutella thompsonii, associated with cassava mites in Benin. Biocontrol Sci Technol 6:23–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yaninek JS, Megevand B, Ojo B, Cudjoe AR, Abole E, Onzo A, Zannou I (1998) Establishment and spread of Typhlodromalus manihoti (Acari: Phytoseiidae), an introduced phytoseiid predator of Mononychellus tanajoa (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Africa. Environ Entomol 27:1496–1505

    Google Scholar 

  • Zundel C, Nagel P, Hanna R, Korner F, Scheidegger U (2009) Environment and host-plant genotype effects on the seasonal dynamics of a predatory mite on cassava in sub-humid tropical Africa. Agric Forest Entomol 11:321–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to B. Bovis and H. Dossounon, for their technical assistance. We are also very grateful to Dr. D. Gnanvossou, Dr. A. Bokonon-Ganta and two anonymus reviewers for their valuable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. This research was supported with funds provided to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, B.P. 123, Parakou, Benin

    Alexis Onzo

  2. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, 08 B.P. 0932, Cotonou, Benin

    Alexis Onzo & Rachid Hanna

  3. Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, Benin

    Iliyath A. Bello

  4. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA-Cameroon1st, Main Road IRAD, Nkolbisson, PO Box 2008 (Messa), Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Rachid Hanna

Authors
  1. Alexis Onzo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Iliyath A. Bello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rachid Hanna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexis Onzo.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Helen Roy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Onzo, A., Bello, I.A. & Hanna, R. Effects of the entomopathogenic fungus Neozygites tanajoae and the predatory mite Typhlodromalus aripo on cassava green mite densities: screenhouse experiments. BioControl 58, 397–405 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-013-9508-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-013-9508-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation