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Evaluation of Serangium n. sp. (Col., Coccinellidae), a predator of Bemisia tabaci (Hom., Aleyrodidae) on cassava
Author(s) -
Asiimwe P.,
Ecaat J. S.,
Guershon M.,
Kyamanywa S.,
Gerling D.,
Legg J. P.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2006.01122.x
Subject(s) - biology , coccinellidae , instar , nymph , hatching , whitefly , larva , predator , predation , horticulture , botany , zoology , ecology
The potential of a new, previously unidentified Serangium species (Col., Coccinellidae) to control the high Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hom., Aleyrodidae) populations on cassava was evaluated. Field and laboratory studies were carried out to determine the abundance and feeding capacity of this Serangium species feeding on B. tabaci on cassava. Serangium nymphs and adults were most abundant in cassava fields late in the season, rising sharply from 5 months after planting (MAP) to a peak at 7–8 MAP. Pre‐imaginal development averaged 21.2 days and was longest in eggs and shortest in the L 1 instar. Mean total prey consumption of immature Serangium increased with the stage of development with the lowest consumption in the L 1 instar and highest in the L 4 instar. Mean daily consumption was lowest on the first day after hatching in the L 1 instar and rose to a peak on the 13th day after hatching in the L 4 instar. Each Serangium larva consumed a mean of over 1000 nymphs during its entire development. These results have demonstrated the potential of this Serangium species to control B. tabaci populations on cassava.