Effect of temperature on the survival and infectivity of Pseudotheraptus devastans vector

Mycopathologia. 2004 Oct;158(3):385-92. doi: 10.1007/s11046-004-8667-z.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate under a controlled environment, the effect of temperature on the survival and infectivity of Pseudotheraptus devastans Distant, a cassava anthracnose disease vector. The insect P. devastans was collected from young cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) field plots, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. A mixture of the different developmental stages of eggs, first to fifth instar nymphs, and adults, were incubated in controlled environment chambers, under various constant temperatures of: 15, 17, 22, 25, 27, 30, and 35 degrees C. Relative humidity at different temperature conditions were recorded and maintained at 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, and 60%, respectively. A significant increase in insect survival was observed between 22 and 27 degrees C temperature conditions while a significant decrease in survival was observed at 15 degrees C and above 30 degrees C. Lesion number, lesion diameter and infectivity among the insect stages varied as a function of temperature and relative humidity. Infectivity was highest at 22-25 degrees C maintained at 75-80% RH and lowest at 15 degrees C and above 30 degrees C maintained respectively, at 65% RH and 90% RH. There was considerable low vector infectivity due to low survival of the insects at extreme temperatures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Vectors
  • Heteroptera / pathogenicity*
  • Heteroptera / physiology*
  • Humidity
  • Insecta
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Manihot / parasitology*
  • Temperature*