Maintenance and mass rearing of phytoseiid predators of the cassava green mite

摘要: The cassava green mite Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar), accidentally introduced from South America into Africa, has spread across the belt and is causing severe yield losses to cassava. Biological control was recognized as most promising sustainable strategy against this pest. Among different stages of a biological program, mass rearing beneficials often major bottleneck. systems used by International Institute Tropical Agriculture are described. A mother culture system maintains pure high quality colonies provides inoculum start production. Twenty biotypes maintained separately no contamination been found in cultures. Oligophagous species reared insectary on artificial substrate, using alternative prey food source. For phytoseiid specific M. tanajoa, an “on plant” greenhouse. Advantages disadvantages two discussed well general requirements constraints phytoseiids.