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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Biological control of an agricultural pest protects tropical forests
Communications Biology, Volume 2, No. 1, Article 10, Year 2019
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Description
Though often perceived as an environmentally-risky practice, biological control of invasive species can restore crop yields, ease land pressure and thus contribute to forest conservation. Here, we show how biological control against the mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti (Hemiptera) slows deforestation across Southeast Asia. In Thailand, this newly-arrived mealybug caused an 18% decline in cassava yields over 2009–2010 and an escalation in prices of cassava products. This spurred an expansion of cassava cropping in neighboring countries from 713,000 ha in 2009 to > 1 million ha by 2011: satellite imagery reveals 388%, 330%, 185% and 608% increases in peak deforestation rates in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam focused in cassava crop expansion areas. Following release of the host-specific parasitoid Anagyrus lopezi (Hymenoptera) in 2010, mealybug outbreaks were reduced, cropping area contracted and deforestation slowed by 31–95% in individual countries. Hence, when judiciously implemented, insect biological control can deliver substantial environmental benefits. © 2019, The Author(s).
Authors & Co-Authors
Wyckhuys, Kris A.G.
China, Fuzhou
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
China, Beijing
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Australia, Brisbane
The University of Queensland
China, Hangzhou
Zhejiang University
Hughes, Alice C.
China, Beijing
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Johnson, Anne C.
Australia, Bathurst
Charles Sturt University
Vasseur, Liette
China, Fuzhou
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Canada, St. Catharines
Brock University
Deguine, Jean Philippe
France, Paris
Cirad
Sheil, Douglas
Norway, As
Norges Miljø- og Biovitenskapelige Universitet
Statistics
Citations: 20
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 11
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1038/s42003-018-0257-6
ISSN:
23993642