Parasitism of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci by aphelinid parasitoids on cassava across five agro-ecological zones of Cameroon

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is the vector of cassava mosaic viruses causing cassava viral diseases, which are the most important biotic constraints of cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Presently, B. tabaci management in cassava fields calls for the development of an integrated approach that relies on host plant resistance and biological control. Data on B. tabaci's natural enemies, particularly parasitoids, in Central Africa are limited. Field surveys were conducted from 2015 to 2017 to identify parasitoids associated with B. tabaci in 5 Cameroon agro-ecological zones. Additionally, population dynamics studies were conducted in replicated fields experiments were conducted from 2016 to 2018 to identify cassava genotypes that can best promote B. tabaci parasitism. Two parasitoids, Encarsia sophia (Girault & Dodd) and Encarsia lutea (Masi) were found parasitizing B. tabaci nymphs with higher parasitism by E. lutea compared with E. sophia. The average parasitism rate during the survey was 33.4% for E. lutea and 8.4% for E. Sophia, regardless of AEZ. The highest parasitism rates by E. lutea (48.2% and 24.2% from field trials and surveys, respectively) were observed in the Western Highlands (AEZ 3) while parasitism by E. sophia was less than 12.4%. Four cassava genotypes (I090590, I011797, I090574, and I070593) promoted higher parasitism rates of B. tabaci by E. lutea and E sophia. The contributions of the two parasitoids and their integration with cassava genotypes for the management of B. tabaci in cassava fields are discussed.