Abstract
Abstract Quantitative knowledge of temporal and spatial distribution patterns of arthropod pests and their natural enemies is essential for understanding their interactions and is a prerequisite for the development of reliable sampling plans for estimating and monitoring pest and natural enemy abundance. Temporal and spatial distributions of the cassava green mite Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its predator Typhlodromalus aripo DeLeon (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were determined in two cassava fields in Southern Benin, West Africa. Samples were taken to follow predator and prey dynamics at monthly intervals, from August 1998 (shortly after planting), to harvest time in June 1999. In addition, within-plant distribution of both predator and prey was determined in the upper 20 nodes of selected cassava plants on four occasions during the study period. In both field sites, temporal trends in abundance of M. tanajoa and T. aripo were similar but with a slight delay in T. aripo response to c...
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