Vol. 9, Issue 10, Part G (2025)

Tapioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a key crop in the Euphorbiaceae family, was domesticated in Neotropical America and is now cultivated in over 80 tropical countries. Its adaptability to diverse environments, drought tolerance and low input requirements make it a crucial food security crop in many developing regions. However, tapioca productivity is significantly constrained by pests, particularly sucking pests such as whiteflies, mealybugs, scales, thrips and mites. These pests not only extract plant sap, reducing vigor and yield, but also serve as vectors for viral pathogens. The persistent and multifaceted nature of pest pressure necessitates the development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies tailored to tapioca agroecosystems. Emphasis on monitoring, biological control, and environmentally sustainable practices is essential for mitigating pest impact and ensuring long-term crop resilience.