A review of objectives and achievements

Abstract

The Africa-wide Biological Control Programme of Cassava Pests (ABCP) was established in 1980, following requests for assistance by an increasing number of African countries. Its objectives in the short term are to: (1) achieve permanent, ecologically safe and economically sustainable control of the cassava mealybug (CM), Phenacoccus manihoti , and cassava green mite (CGM), Mononychellus tanajoa , throughout the African cassava belt, (2) provide specialized training in biological control techniques and (3) initiate National Biological Control Programmes (NBCPs). In the long term, the objective is to establish full-fledged NBCPs in countries requesting assistance by using the ABCP as a model. ABCP research thus far includes: exploration for natural enemies in South America, bionomic studies of the pests and their natural enemies, field ecology, modelling plant growth, and experimental ground releases and large-scale aerial releases of CM and CGM natural enemies. Epidinocarsis lopezi , a CM parasitoid, has been established in 13 countries within 2 years of its release. CM populations are being maintained mostly below the injury level in all areas of establishment where detailed surveys have been made.