Entomopathogens: an alternative solution for control of the cashew coreid bugs, Pseudotheraptus devastans and Anoplocnemis curvipes

About the project

UK-registered Partner: Bionema Group Ltd – Minshad Ansari
Africa-registered Partner: Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) – Akua Konadu Antwi

Cashew is a high value plant in Africa and is heavily infested with a range of insect pests which cause up to 80% yield loss. The major pests include coreid bugs, Pseudotheraptus devastans and Anoplocnemis curvipes. Current control of these insects involves toxic insecticides such as Lambda cyhalothrin, chlorpyriphos and acetamiprid, some of which have been banned in developed countries due to their impact on human health and the environment.

Insecticide use is limited in Ghana due to poor application, tight regulations, insecticide resistance and pest resurgence. Pesticide residue detected in cashew apples and nuts are common and have raised global concerns, increasing the need for safer pest control methods considering food safety, human health, and environment. This short project therefore aims to find virulent strains of insect pathogenic fungus with wide host range and high sporulation for the major cashew insect pest control for domestic and export benefits.