Nwanze, K.F. 1978 Biology of the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Mat.-Ferr. in the Republic of Zaire.. Proceedings of the International Workshop on the cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti Mat.-Ferr. (Pseudococcidae). International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Ibadan, Nigeria vi + 85 pp.

Notes: [Conference held at INERA-M'vuazi, Bas-Zaire, Zaire, June 26-29, 1977.] Information is given on the oviposition habits, female fecundity and nymphal development of Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero, a cassava pest which, together with bacterial and virus diseases, has caused serious reductions of leaf and root yield and inflated market prices for cassava products in Zaire. As a result of experimental infestation on cuttings grown in polythene bags at M'vuazi in Zaire, it was found that most of the insects settled on the leaf midrib and secondary veins and also on the growing tips. The crawlers remained in dormant buds during the wet season and were very important for the survival and subsequent spread of the mealybug. Dipping the cuttings in a solution of dimethoate at 500 g toxicant/litre of water before planting appeared to reduce mealybug damage, although on one set of plants infestation appeared to have taken place from neighbouring plants to windward. A single predator was observed, Spalgis lemolea Druce, of which the larvae resembled large mealybugs and fed actively on all stages but especially on the crawlers.