Control of cashew sucking bugs helopeltis anacard11 and pseudotheraptus wayi by manipulating the african weaver ants (oecophylla long1noda) populations in cashew nut trees
| dc.contributor.author | Mwinyi, Waziri Ali | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-02-05T11:01:09Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-02-05T11:01:09Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2002 | |
| dc.description | Thesis | |
| dc.description.abstract | Five field experiments were conducted during the 2000/2001 season at ARI-Naliendele. Mtwara region in southern Tanzania. The general objective of the study was to establish optimum population levels of weaver ants that will give effective control of Helopeltis anacardii and Pseudotheraptus wayi in cashew nut trees. The experiments were also conducted to establish the bionomics ofthe population of the cashew pests H. anacardii and P. wayi, and the predator. Oecophylla longinoda in relation to the antagonistic ant. Pheidole megacephala. Assessment of shoot and nut damage, and associated yield were carried out to establish the effectiveness of the predator against the two pests. The study has shown that high levels of O. longinoda had significant effects in protecting cashew trees from attack by H. anacardii and P. wayi Manipulation of number of nests of O. longinoda confirmed that 30 and 40 nests can provide maximum protection of cashew trees. The protective effect of the biological agent led to reduction of damage levels in shoots and nuts due to reduced number of pests and increased nut yield/tree. When the performance of the biological agent at different nest levels was compared to chemical control using lamda cyhalothrin (5 %). the chemical was found to be less effective as compared to cashew trees subjected to 30 or more O. longinoda nests. The antagonistic ant. P. megacephala. to the biological agent O. longinoda was successfully suppressed by Amdro bait. Reduction in population of the competitor ant resulted to increased numbers of (). longinoda in the field, and increased predation activity against the pests. Significant variations (P 0.05) of damage levels between trees subjected to weaver ants alone and those subjected to weaver ants in combination with Amdro bait were evident. Lowest damage levels were recorded in trees treated with Amdro bait in combination with weaver ants. It is concluded that weaver ants have a great potential for suppressing H anacardii and P. wayi to low uneconomic levels. However, for a successful establishment of weaver ants in the field, controlling of the antagonistic ants P. megacephala is essential. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | The National Agricultural Extension Rehabilitation Programme phase II (NAERP II) | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7297 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Sokoine University of Agriculture | |
| dc.subject | Cashew | |
| dc.subject | Bugs | |
| dc.subject | Helopeltis anacard11 | |
| dc.subject | Pseudotheraptus wayi | |
| dc.subject | African weaver ants | |
| dc.subject | Oecophylla long1noda | |
| dc.subject | Cashew nut trees | |
| dc.title | Control of cashew sucking bugs helopeltis anacard11 and pseudotheraptus wayi by manipulating the african weaver ants (oecophylla long1noda) populations in cashew nut trees | |
| dc.type | Thesis |