Parasitoid biodiversity conservation for sustainable management of the African rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzivora (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in lowland rice

Abstract

Platygaster diplosisae and Aprostocetus procerae attack both the African rice gall midge (AfRGM), Orseolia oryzivora, and Orseolia bonzii, a closely related gall midge that feeds on Paspalum scrobiculatum. Recent research has shown that managing this weed at the edge of rice fields offers African farmers, low-cost non-chemical control of AfRGM.

Keywords:

• AfRGM
• Orseolia bonzii
• parasitoids
• biological control
• rice
• Paspalum scrobiculatum

Acknowledgements

The authors greatly appreciate the technical assistance of Mr Adebayo Kehinde.