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The effects of intercropping and mixed varieties of predators and parasitoids of cassava whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Colombia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Clifford S. Gold ,
Miguel A. Altieri  and
Anthony C. Bellotti
Clifford S. Gold
Affiliation:
Division of Biological Control, University of California, Berkeley, 1050 San Pablo Avenue, Albany, California 94618, USA
Miguel A. Altieri
Affiliation:
Division of Biological Control, University of California, Berkeley, 1050 San Pablo Avenue, Albany, California 94618, USA
Anthony C. Bellotti
Affiliation:
Centro International de Agricultura Tropical, Apartado Aereo 6713, Cali, Colombia
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Abstract

Cassava intercropped with cowpea in Colombia had lower numbers of Aleurotrachelus socialis Bondar and Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) per leaf and per plant than did monoculture cassava. These differences persisted for up to six months after harvest of the cowpea. These results are examined in light of the natural enemies hypothesis, which suggests that natural enemies may be favoured in diversified systems, thereby reducting herbivore load. In this regard, the effects of different cropping systems on the whitefly predator Delphastus pusillus (Le Conte) and on the combined action of the parasitoids Amitus aleurodinus Haldeman and Eretmocerus aleyrodiphaga (Risbec) are discussed. D. pusillus displayed a functional responce and was more abundant in monocultures than in intercrops. Predator:prey ratios were similar between treatments and so low that predation appeared to have little impact on whitefly numbers. Parasitism levels of Aleurotrachelus socialis were not affected by crop combinations. The data suggest that the activity of the natural enemies does not explain cropping system effects on cassava whitefly populations.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 79 , Issue 1 , March 1989 , pp. 115 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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