Banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and ant interaction

Banana and plantain (Musa spp) contribute to food security for about 70 million people in Africa and in Cameroon where it serves as source of income and food security. Nevertheless, Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) transmitted by the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel is a serious threat to the production of bananas. An integrated management BBTV requires a good knowledge of aphid biology and ecology. Banana aphid has trophobiotic relationship with many species of ants, of the genus Pheidole. The present study aims at understanding the role of ants in the survival and the dynamic of aphid. To assess this, Pentalonia nigronervosa was infested on young banana plants in the presence or absence of ants and kept with/without protection against aphid predators. The assessment of aphid population was done for ten weeks. The present study provides useful information for the understanding of the existing trophobiotic relationship between banana aphid and ant in the genus Pheidole sp. This would help to design an integrated management of BBTV notably through the biological control of the vector.