Cassava-pest
Guides
Cyrtomenus
burrowing bugs, burrower bugs
Cyrtomenus is a genus of burrower bugs in the family Cydnidae, subfamily Cydninae, comprising approximately nine described species distributed in the Neotropics. Species in this genus are characterized by morphological adaptations for digging and exhibit polyphagous feeding habits. At least two species, C. bergi and C. mirabilis (now synonymized), are recognized as significant agricultural pests, particularly of cassava roots. The genus is distinguished among Neotropical Cydninae by the strongly flattened posterior tibia, a feature shared with the related genus Prolobodes.
Lagocheirus
Lagocheirus is a genus of longhorn beetles in the subfamily Lamiinae, established by Dejean in 1835. The genus includes species that have been documented as pests of agricultural crops, particularly cassava and sugarcane. One species, Lagocheirus araneiformis, has been recorded with phoretic mites inhabiting specialized pronotal pits, suggesting a possible mutualistic relationship. The genus occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Americas from the southern United States through Central America and the Caribbean to South America.
Phenacoccus
mealybug
Phenacoccus is a genus of mealybugs (family Pseudococcidae) containing at least 180 described species. Species in this genus are economically significant agricultural pests, with several species causing major damage to crops including cassava, cotton, and various ornamentals. The genus includes notable invasive species such as Phenacoccus manihoti (cassava mealybug), P. solenopsis (cotton mealybug), and P. madeirensis (Madeira mealybug). These insects are characterized by their soft bodies covered with white, powdery wax secretions. Several species have been targets of successful biological control programs, most famously the cassava mealybug control program in Africa that averted a major food crisis.
Prostephanus truncatus
Larger Grain Borer, Greater Grain Borer
Prostephanus truncatus, commonly known as the larger grain borer or greater grain borer, is a highly destructive beetle in the family Bostrichidae. Native to Mexico and Central America where it evolved as a wood-boring insect, it adapted to become a major pest of stored maize. The species was accidentally introduced to Tanzania, Africa in the late 1970s and subsequently spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where it additionally adapted to cassava as an alternate host. Populations can destroy up to 40% of stored maize in three months and cause estimated losses of 52-74% of stored cassava. Climate modeling indicates potential for further range expansion into the southern United States, South America, and tropical Asia.
Teretriosoma
clown beetles
Teretriosoma is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, established by Horn in 1873. The genus comprises approximately 11 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. One species, Teretriosoma nigrescens, has been extensively studied as a biological control agent against the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus, a major pest of stored maize and cassava in Africa and Latin America. Members of this genus are small predatory beetles associated with decomposing organic matter and stored products.