How wasps are used to control the destructive cowpea pest—Maruca vitrata
- From
-
Published on
07.03.20
- Impact Area

Maruca vitrata, also known as Maruca pod borer, is one of the most devastating insect pests of cowpea in Africa. Its larvae stage, the caterpillar, is the most destructive and attacks flowers and pods of various legumes causing up to 80% yield loss. Farmers resort to inappropriate pesticide applications with some spraying the legume as many as six times in a planting season, which is two months.
Related news
-
CGIAR scientist takes leadership role in global antimicrobial resistance response
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)19.06.25-
Health
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has appointed Arshnee Moodley, lead of the CGIAR…
Read more -
-
Vietnam marks World Food Safety Day 2025
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)09.06.25-
Health
The Vietnam National Institute of Animal Science, with technical support from the Food and Agricultu…
Read more -
-
Preventing the next pandemic: One Health researcher calls for urgent action
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)03.06.25-
Health
By Hung Nguyen-Viet The world is facing daunting health challenges with the rise of zoonotic…
Read more -