Abstract
The green cassava mite, Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) and the red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch infest all varieties of cassava in Sierra Leone. Both tetranychid species are widely distributed in the country and are causing severe damage to the crop mainly in the major cassava producing areas in the north-western regions. M. tanajoa caused chlorosis and 91% loss in photosynthetic area of the attacked leaves and defoliation of the plant either by acting alone or in concert with T urticae. Late planted crop was particularly vulnerable to the infestation. M. tanajoa and T. urticae appeared to avoid severe interspecific competition on the plant by habitat stratification.
Résumé
La teigne du manioc Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) et al mite d’araignée rouge Tetranychus urticae Koch infestant toutes les varieties de manioc on Sierra Leone. Les deux especès de tetranychid sont largement distritrées dans le pays et endommagent gravement in récotte surtout dans le nord-coust-où se trouve les régions productrices le plus importantes du manioc. M. tanajoa a provoqué la chlorose 90% de perte de la surface photosynthétique des feuilles attaquées, et al defoliation de la plante soit par une action unilatérale soit de concert avec T. urticae. Des semailles tardives étaient particulièrement vulnérables aux invasion. M. tanajoa et T. urticae semblent éviter une compétition interspécifique grave sur la plante en stratifiant l’habitant.
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James, B.D. Tetranychid Mites on Cassava in Sierra Leone. Int J Trop Insect Sci 9, 243–247 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400006068
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400006068