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Use only healthy/pest free planting materials - restrict the movement of plants/cuttings which are already infested with mealybugs
Avoid planting cassava for more than 3 years on the same piece of land. Rotate with maize and legumes
Plant cuttings early in the rainy season (Nov-Dec). This allows the plant to become established before the dry season and more able to restist attack by mealybugs
Before planting dip plant materials into chemical pesticide to prevent spread of mealybugs (see yellow direct control)
Monitoring
Check crop weekly for mealybugs on shoots, stems and leaves
The adult females and larvae will be visible on the stem and leaves. They are oval in shape, pinkish in colour and covered in a white, powdery wax
Symptoms on the plant include stunting, wilting, leaf distortion, leaf fall, rosetting of the stem and dieback
Ants may also be present as they protect the mealybugs and feed on the honey dew they produce. Black sooty mould may also grow on the leaves in the presence of honeydew
Take action once the presence of the mealybug are detected
Direct Control
Remove or prune heavily infested plants or plant parts and destroy by burning or burying
Direct Control
Restrictions
Use personal protective equipment when handling and applying pesticides, follow the label recommendations. Do not eat, drink, smoke when mixing or applying pesticides.
Apply Dimethoate (Dimethoate 400EC, Nugor 40EC, Fetron 400 EC) at a rate of 10-20 ml in 14 litres of water. Dimethoate is an organophosphate in FRAC group: 1B
Moderately hazardous (WHO Class II). Apply during planting period to avoid spread of mealybug. Dip the plant cuttings into the insecticide solution before planting. Hazardous to aquatic life, do not use near waterways
AUTHOR(S): Nyirenda, S.P. (Bvumbwe Agricultural Research Station) & Katende E. (Department of Agriculutural Extension Services)
