Protecting biodiversity through biocontrol of papaya mealybug in East Africa
Key Facts
FUNDING SCHEME Main Project
VALUE £501,479
WHERE Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya
Summary
Papaya mealybug (PMB) invaded East Africa between 2016 - 2020, causing 57% yield and £2,224/ha household economic losses annually. Farmers manage PMB using highly hazardous pesticides, thus harming native insect biodiversity. A more ecologically sound climate smart approach is biological control using the parasitoid, Acerophagus papayae. Biological control espouses sustainable pest control and the biodiversity protection/conservation nexus. This project proposes to release A. papayae as part of the Integrated pest
management for PMB and to protect East Africa’s native biodiversity.
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