This article is one in a series outlining the 20 research projects which are funded by CONNECTED in its pump-prime funding programme. To real all the available articles use this link.

Identifying insect vectors

A project seeking targeted control and more effective management of the main insect vectors that spread Maize chlorotic mottle virus

Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease threatens the production of maize, the Eastern African region’s main staple food.

Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) acts as the main driver of MLN disease. A number of insect vectors associated with its transmission have been reported, based on studies in countries outside Africa, whose farming systems differ greatly. These insect species have been assumed to be the main vectors of MCMV in Africa, but no systematic studies have been conducted in Kenya and Eastern Africa to substantiate this, or to determine whether additional insect vectors are present.

There is a need to identify and confirm insect vectors associated with the transmission of MCMV in the region. This project is taking insect and host plant samples from fields of differing prevalence of MCMV and surveying Kenya’s main maize growing regions to collect putative MCMV insect vectors and their hosts.

Countries

  • Kenya
  • UK

International research collaboration

  • Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
  • University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • University of Newcastle, UK

People

  • Neil Boonham (Principal Investigator)
  • Douglas W Miano
  • Cyrus Mugambi

Network members can find further details about those involved in the project by logging in to this site as a member, and using the Member Directory

To become a network member free of charge, use this link.