Virus to control cassava pest

Pesticide application to control insect attacks has often been shown to kill off the natural predators or parasites of the pest, whilst having little impact on the pest itself. This has proved to be the case with horn worm, a serious pest of cassava. Horn worm attacks cassava in large numbers, devouring leaves and reducing both production and quality. Scientists at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) tested more than 30 natural predators of horn worm but found none that could control it efficiently. However, the scientists did discover that some horn worm larvae were infected with what appeared to be a highly lethal disease. In 1980, CIAT be an extensive research and developed a granulosis virus that was specific to horn worm and environmentally safe. Infected larvae are macerated in an electric blender. The virus-carrying mixture is diluted with water and sprayed on infested crops. Although the virus is slow-acting, 99% of a sprayed horn worm population will contract the disease and die. The virus spray is easy for farmers to extract, handle and store and is cheap to apply. Dr A Bellotti CIAT A A 6713 Cali, COLOMBIAPesticide application to control insect attacks has often been shown to kill off the natural predators or parasites of the pest, whilst having little impact on the pest itself. This has proved to be the case with horn worm, a serious pest of..