Influence of climate and banana growth stages on spatio‐temporal variation of banana mealybug Pseudococcus elisaeBorchsenius (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) population ecology

Abstract

The banana mealybug Pseudococcus elisae Borchsenius (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) is a pest of economic importance in Cameroon that requires effective control practices, especially after the routinely used chlorpyrifos insecticide was banned in 2019. For effective mealybug control, it is imperative to understand their ecology in relation to banana growth stages and climate‐induced seasonal variations. Therefore, the influence of climatic variables and banana growth stages on a spatio‐temporal distribution of mealybugs in Esuke and Benoe banana plantations of the Cameroon Development Corporation in Tiko was assessed. A 60‐ha area was mapped in each plantation and divided into 12 plots of 5 ha each, which were further sub‐divided into four quadrants of 1.25 ha. A total of 10 banana suckers, 10 pre‐flowering, 10 flowering and 10 bunchy plants were sampled per quadrant. Monthly mealybug population dynamics were assessed across 2 years in 2021 and 2022 on lower or upper pseudostem, leaves and banana bunches. Significant yearly and monthly mealybug population variation on banana plants were observed, with more mealybugs in 2022 than 2021, and two monthly mealybug peaks in February and November (p < 0.001). Mealybug population was higher on banana bunches and lower or upper pseudostem than on leaves (p < 0.001). Mealybugs preferred bunchy plants than suckers or pre‐flowering and flowering plants, and exhibited clumped distribution with Taylor aggregation index (b) greater than one (p < 0.001). A simple linear regression revealed strong positive effects of high temperature on mealybug population ecology, while relative humidity and rainfall had inverse effects on the population of mealybug. These highlight the dynamics of banana mealybug population ecology under variable climatic conditions and banana growth stages, which provides valuable baseline information to facilitate developing effective control strategies for mealybugs in banana plantations.