Socio-economic impact of biological control of mango mealybug in Benin

Abstract

Mango mealybug, an exotic pest of mango, was first observed in Benin in 1986. In a biological control programme, natural enemies were successfully released in the following years. The present study is the first attempt to measure the impact of the biological control of mango mealybug over a large area, through a survey of mango producers. Most producers attributed the observed improvement of mango production to the success of biological control. Based on production estimates by producers, the negative impact of the pest on plant production and the positive impact of the introduced natural enemy were demonstrated. Interviewed mango producers gained on average US$ 328 per year by the biological control programme. Extrapolated to all producers of Benin, a yearly gain of US$ 50 million in mango production can be estimated. The present value of accrued benefits is estimated at US$ 531 million over a period of 20 years. The total cost of the biological control of mango mealybug is estimated at US$ 3.66 million, which includes initial costs in other African countries and the introduction of the natural enemy from India, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 145:1 for benefits in Benin alone.

The mango tree in central and northern Benin: cultivar inventory, yield assessment, infested stages and loss due to fruit flies (Diptera Tephritidae)

“…Only a widespread environment-and consumer-friendly integrated pest management program (IPM package) targeting mango fruit flies can reduce the populations of these destructive pests and can keep them under the Economic Injury Level (EIL). It is to be hoped that classical biological pest control of the new invasive species, B. invadens, will be as successful with natural enemies as the previous IITA campaign against the famous mango mealy bug, Rastrococcus invadens [11], with exotic parasitoids.…”

“…The only available study on this subject was authored by Bokonon Ganta et al [11] who classified the mango producers of Benin into three groups. The first group (40% of planters) only cultivates mango trees in the home garden.…”

Preliminary inventory of scale insects on mango trees in Benin

“…From these 12 species only R. invadens and A. orientalis are considered as pests of the mango tree. The successful control of R. invadens is a renowned classical biological example (Neuschwander et al 1994, Bokonon-Ganta et al 2002 in Benin and other humid areas of West Africa. Where found, A. orientalis is widespread on mango leaves but it remains a very scarce and localised species as a mango pest.…”

“…In the urban areas, this mealybug attacked mango, citrus, shade trees (Terminalia catappa) and many other plants. The biological control of this mango pest by two parasitoid species was successful by the end of 1990s (Bokonon-Ganta et al 2002).…”

Value chain development for mango (Mangifera indica) around Outamba Kilimi National Park in Sierra Leone: constraints and opportunities for smallholders

“…Among the trees, attention was given to economic trees mainly the fruit trees due to their capacity to provide rural communities with edible fruits with market value. This is the case of mangoes tree (Mangifera indica L.), one of the major fruits produced and consumed in the world mainly in the tropics and subtropics [6,7], and used as supplement to sustain food and nutritional security. The fruit is an important source of nutrients and energy [6,7] because it is rich in amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, minerals, organic acids, proteins and vitamins, mainly vitamins A and C [8].…”