January 2026

Record of ant species associated with mealy bug vectors of Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV) in CNRA-Divo Research Station, Cote d’Ivoire

Swollen shoot is a serious disease of cocoa trees in Côte d'Ivoire. It is caused by a complex of Badnaviruses and transmitted by mealybugs. Controlling these mealybugs is challenging because they are protected by earthen shelters built by ants, which, in return, receive honeydew from the mealybugs. To effectively control the vectors of the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV), it is therefore essential to identify...

Author(s): Pierre Walet N’Guessan, Norbert N’Dri Kouamé, Armand Nahoulé Adja, Moussa Diarassouba, Prosper Gnahoua Dakouri, Karim Diallo Aboudou, Mathias Danho, François Kouamé N’Guessan, Ahoua Yapi and René Kouassi Allou