Insects Associated with Bungu, Ceratotheca Sesamoides Endl

Insects associated with Bungu, Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl. (Pedaliaceae). in Ilorin, Nigeria. Uddin II, R.O. and Adesiyun, A.A. Department of Crop Protection, University of Ilorin, Nigeria ABSTRACT A survey of the insects associated with Bungu, Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl. (Pedaliaceae) was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, during the rainy and dry seasons of 2009 to provide a useful foundation for further entomological studies on this little known vegetable crop. Sampling was done on a field measuring 15 m x 13 m, which was divided into 12 plots, with each plot measuring 2 m x 1 m. Four plots randomly selected were sampled. All parts of the plants in the selected plots were sampled for insects. Sampling was done early in the morning, three days a week. A sweep net measuring 40 cm in diameter was used to collect insects flying over the plots. Pitfall traps containing 4% formalin solution were used to trap insects walking on the floor. A total of 149 insect species were collected during the survey but only 141 were properly identified. Some of the insects could be incidental on the plant either while searching for oviposition site, mate, or prospecting for nectar. The major leaf feeders were Antigastra catalaunalis Dup. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Plusia acuta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) while the major flower feeders included A. catalaunalis and Oecanthus brevicauda (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). The major species recorded on the green fruit was A. catalaunalis. Some predators belonging to the order Coleoptera and some parasitoids belonging to the orders Diptera and Hymenoptera were found in association with Bungu. Keywords: Antigastra catalaunalis, Ceratotheca sesamoides, Survey

INTRODUCTION aphrodisiac (Anon, 2008). The seed oil is used as an insecticide. Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl., a little known vegetable crop (Fasakin,1991), is an annual herb Olayide et al., (1972) presented data to show that the (Bakare,1987) belonging to the family Pedaliaceae demand of Nigerians for vegetables has never been which has 16 genera and 60 species predominantly met. This situation could be attributed partly to the in Africa, Indo-Malayan region, and tropical Australia fact that research on the numerous Nigerian (Gbile,1983). indigenous vegetables had been neglected in the past. There is no gain saying the fact that many of C. sesamoides has tender, edible shoots, leaves and the unpopular indigenous vegetables are potentially fruits that are eaten whole or in part, raw or cooked. It as valuable as cabbage, lettuce and cauliflower to is a source of protein, vitamins and minerals (Bakare, mention a few (Fasakin, 1991). 1987) with the dry seed yielding 35 percent oil whose characteristics are practically identical to those of Among the various production constraints known to sesame oil (LePelly, 1959). C. sesamoides is used in exert considerable influence on the potential yield of the treatment of childhood diseases such as measles a crop are insect pests. Van Rheenen (1973) stated (Anon., 2003). The leaves are steeped and the slimy that C. sesamoides, which is endemic in Africa and liquid dropped into the eye to treat conjunctivitis. The appeared to be cross compatible with Sesamum mucilage is occasionally used as an emollient and indicum L., showed resistance to the gall midge lubricant (Grubben and Denton,2004). The leaf is a Asphondylia sesami Felt. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and Going by recent literature search, there is no record antihypertensive agent. The leaves are used as an of studies on insects associated with C.sesamoides abortifacient and ecbolics as well as for treatment of in Nigeria. This paper reports on the insect pests of cutaneous and subcutaneous parasitic infections; C. sesamoides and describes the damage caused by diarrhoea and dysentery (Burkill,1985). C. the major groups. sesamoides has been shown to have antiviral properties (Obi et al., 2006) and also used as an

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MATERIALS AND METHODS Diptera and Hymenoptera were found visiting the flowers, while 4 species of insects belonging to the The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Orders Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera were Research Farm, University of Ilorin in 2009 rainy found in association with the pods. season (July-November) and dry season (September-February) using a completely randomised design. The land used was divided into Stem Feeders: The major insect species recorded two blocks each consisting of twelve plots of 1 m x 2 here include Plusia acuta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) m and separated by a clean space of 0.5 m. Seeds of whose larva chew parts of the stem resulting in stem two cultivars of C. sesamoides namely cv. Pete and breakage. cv. Gogoro were purchased from the local market Leaf Feeders: The greatest number of insect pest and planted on the flat at a spacing of 0.3 m between were noticed on the leaves with a great majority rows and drilled within the rows. being of the biting and chewing type, belonging to the There were seven rows per plot. Collections of the orders, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. The major different species of insects attacking the various parts Lepidopterous pest was A. catalaunalis (Dup.) of C. sesamoides at both the vegetative and (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The larva of Plusia acuta reproductive stages were undertaken on four blocks (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was also seen feeding on randomly selected per cultivar. Samples of all the the leaves but in very few numbers when compared different kinds of insects found on the experimental with A. catalaunalis. The larva of Plusia acuta fed on site were collected for identification. Larvae of the leaves causing different sizes of holes, while that lepidopterous insects collected from the site were of A. catalaunalis rolled the leaves around itself taken to the laboratory and reared to the adult stage. feeding and living within the enclosure. Crawling and resting insects were handpicked while At the initial stage the larva mined the leaves before flying insects were collected with a 40 cm sweep net. rolling them around itself. This feeding activity Insects inhabiting the soil were collected using pitfall reduced the total number and total area of leaves traps containing 4 percent formalin solution. available for photosynthesis and harvest. Visual counting of the insects was done between Flower Feeders: The insects attacking the flowers 0730h and 1000h when the insects were not too are grouped into two orders, namely Lepidoptera and active. The counting of insects was done thrice a Orthoptera with one specie each from Hymenoptera week for the duration the crop was on the field. The and Diptera as visitors to the flowers. The collected insects were identified at the Department of lepidopterous pest is A. catalaunalis (Lepidoptera: Crop Protection, Institute of Agricultural Research, Pyralidae) whose larvae eat holes in the petal of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and the flower then binds the petals together to form an Department of Crop Protection and Environmental enclosure where it lives and feeds. The activity of the Biology University of Ibadan, Nigeria. insects causes death of the flowers and reduces pod RESULTS formation. The Orthopteran pest, Oecanthus brevicauda (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) eats the petal of A total of 149 species of insects were collected the flowers thus exposing the style and ovary. during the survey but only 141 species identified (see Table 1). There were 36 species of defoliators Green Fruit Feeders: The main green fruit feeder is belonging to the Orders, Coleoptera, Dictyoptera, Antigastra catalaunalis; the larva of the gall midge Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. Nineteen species of Asphondylia sesami (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) was insects belonging to the Orders, Coleoptera, also seen feeding in the pods. The larvae of Hemiptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera were Antigastra catalaunalis bore into the green pod and associated with the stem. 11 species of insects in the fed on the seeds. It left frass at the point of entry into Orders Coleoptera, Dictyoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, the pod. The larvae pupate in the pod from which the Hymenoptera and Orthoptera were associated with adult emerges. the flowers. One species in each of the Orders

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Table I. Insect pests species associated with C. sesamoides in Ilorin

Order/Family Insect Species Part attacked Vulnerable stage

COLEOPTERA Alleculidae Alogista nigeriana (Borch) * Vegetative Anthicidae Formiconis indigaceus (Laf.) * Vegetative/Reproductive Bostrichidae Dinoderus minutes (F.) * Vegetative/Reproductive Chrysomelidae Asbecesta nigripennis (Lab.) Leaf Vegetative Chaetocnema congoana (Bry.) Leaf Vegetative Eryxia holoserica (Klug.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Monolepta nigeriae (Bryant.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Monolepta sp. Leaf Vegetative Pagria gossypii (Bryant.) Leaf Vegetative Chlaeniini Ocybatus discicollis Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Curculionidae Anaemerus tomentosus Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Nematocerus acerbus (Fst.) Leaf/Flower Vegetative/Reproductive Siderodactylus sagittarus (Oliv.) Leaf/Stem Vegetative/Reproductive Tamymecus tonsus (Mshl.) Leaf/Stem Vegetative Elateridae Cardiophorus quadriplagiatus (Er.) * Vegetative Dicronychus sp. * Vegetative/Reproductive Meloidae Coryna chevrolati (Blair.) * Vegetative/Reproductive Zonitoschema alluaudi (Pic.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Lagriidae Chrysolagria cuprina (Thoms.) Pod Vegetative/Reproductive Lagria viillosa (Fabricius) Pod Reproductive Scarabaeidae Stichtothyrea quttifera (Afz.) * Vegetative/Reproductive Scaratinii Scolypus affinis (Putzeys) * Vegetative Tenebrionidae Diodentes sp. * Vegetative Endustomus senegalensis (Cast.) * Reproductive Gonocephalum dermestoides (G.) * Vegetative/Reproductive G. simplex (Fabricius) * Vegetative Leichenum variegatum (Kl.) * Reproductive Opatropis hispida (Brul.) * Vegetative/Reproductive Thalpophila abbreviata (F.) * Vegetative *= Collected from pitfall trap

Order/Family Insect Species Part attacked Vulnerable stage

DERMAPTERA Forficulidae Diaperasticus erythrocephalus (Oliv.) Flower Vegetative/Reproductive DICTYOPTERA Blattellidae Blattella sp. - Reproductive Hymenopodidae Pseudoharpax virescens (Serv.) Leaf/Flower Reproductive Oxyhaloidae Leucophaea maderae (Fab.) * Vegetative Perisphaeriidae Gyna sp. Leaf Vegetative DIPTERA Calliphoridae Tricyclea sp. Leaf Reproductive Cecidomyiidae Asphondylia sesami Pod Reproductive Muscidae Atherigona ruficornis (Stein) Leaf Vegetative Coenasia pachypoda (Bigot) Leaf Reproductive Musca sp. Flower Reproductive

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Tephritidae Didacus bivittatus (Bigot) Flower Reproductive Ocnerioxa discreta (Bezzi) Leaf Reproductive Tanaosema austeni (Munro) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive HEMIPTERA Alydidae Stenocoris elegans (Blote) Leaf Reproductive Coriedae Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stem Vegetative/Reproductive Riptortus dentipes (Fabricius) Leaf Reproductive Cydnidae Aethus cristatus (Jeam) * Vegetative A.indicus (Westus) * Vegetative Geotomus spp. * Vegetative Lygaeidae Pachybrachius capicola (Stal.) Stem/Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Nysius sp. Nr albidus Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Miridae Adelphocoris apicate (Reut.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Creontiades palliculus Ramb. Stem/Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Dicyphus longulus (Popp.) Stem/Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive *= Collected from pitfall trap

Order/Family Insect Species Part attacked Vulnerable stage

HEMIPTERA Miridae Eurystylus sp. Nr. ruboscutellatus (Odhim) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Megacoelum scutellare (Popp.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Paramixi suturalis (Reut.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Sthenarus sordidus (Odhiambo) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Taylorilygus vosseleri (Popp.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Trigonotylus sp. Leaf/Stem Vegetative/Reproductive Pentatomidae Agonoscelis versicolor F. Leaf Reproductive Aspavia armigera Fabricius Leaf Reproductive Halyomarpha halydicoris Leaf Vegetative Nezera viridula torquata F. Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Phricodes hystrix Germ. Leaf/Stem Vegetative/Reproductive Pyrrhocoridae Dysdercus superstitiosus Leaf/Stem Vegetative Scantius clavimanus (F.) Leaf/Stem Vegetative Scutelleridae Sphaerocoris annulus F. Leaf Reproductive HOMOPTERA Cicadellidae Austroagallia carboverdensis (Lindb.) Leaf Vegetative Exitianus capicola (Stal.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Macrosteles spp Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Nephotettix modulates (Mel.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Penthimia sp. Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Platurelus sp. Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Recilia trifasciata (Lindberg) Leaf Vegetative Delphacidae Peregrinus sp. Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Dictyopharidae Philotheria apicata (Mel.) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Flatidae Caesonia sp. Leaf/Stem Vegetative/Reproductive Crytoflata unipuntata Leaf/Stem Vegetative HYMENOPTERA Apidae Apis mellifera andansonii Flower Reproductive

LEPIDOPTERA Arctidae Acantharctia nivea Leaf Vegetative Order/Family Insect Species Part attacked Vulnerable stage

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LEPIDOPTERA Noctuidae Earias biplaga Leaf Reproductive E.insulana Boisduval Leaf Reproductive Helicoverpa armigera (Hubn.) Leaf Reproductive Plusia acuta Leaf/Stem Vegetative/Reproductive Xanthodes qraellsii (Feist.) Leaf Vegetative Pyralidae Antigastra catalaunalis (Dup.) Leaf/Flower/Pod Vegetative/Reproductive Loxostege massalis (Wlk.) Pod Vegetative Tortricidae Polemograptis albardana (Snellen) Leaf Vegetative Onebala iamprastoma (Zeller) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive ORTHOPTERA Acrididae Acrotylus patruelis (H.S) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Gryllidae Acanthoplistus acutus (Sauss.) Leaf Vegetative Gryllinae Flower Vegetative/Reproductive Oecanthus brevicauda Flower Reproductive Tetrigidae Pyrgomorpha vignaudi (Guer) Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive Tettigonidae Phaneroptera nana sparsa Stal. Flower/Leaf Vegetative/Reproductive

Table II. Parasitoids associated with insect pests of C. sesamoides

Order/Family Insect Species

DIPTERA Tachinidae Dolichotachina nigeriensis (Zumpt.) Thelairosoma angustifrons Vill.

HYMENOPTERA Bethylidae Epyris sp. Braconidae Apanteles syleptae (Fer.) Bracon hebetor (Say.) Chrysididae Chrysis convexifrons (Mocs) Ichneumonidae Angittia sp. Charops sp. Ctenochares bicolonis (Linn) Mutillidae Clenotilla sp Dolichomutilla quineensis var syco (Sm.) Smicromyrme sp. Trogaspida spp. Scolidae Scolia sp. Sphecidae Liris diabolica (Sm.) L. primania (Kahl.) Philanthus stygius (Gest.) Pison carinatum (Tuner)

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Table III. Predators associated with insect pests of C. sesamoides

Order/Family Insect Species

COLEOPTERA Carabidae Bradybaenus sealaris (Olivier) Calleidae ruficullis (Fabricius) Chlaenius minificus (Pomeroy) Cicindelinae iophyra neglecta (Dejan) Metagonum planaticolle (Murray) Orthogonius sp. Styphlomenus sp. Teragonoderus viridicollis (Dejan) Tetragonoderus quadrimaculatus (Gery) Coccinellidae Cheilomenes lunata (Fabricius) Chilocorus dohrni (Muls.) Stictoleris vigintiduomaculata F. Staphylinidae Paederus sabaeus (Er.) Philonthus sp. DIPTERA Asilidae Laxenecera auribarba (Karsch) HEMIPTERA Reduviidae Polididus bequaerti (Schout.) Rhynocoris bicolor F. R. carmelia Stal. Sphedanolestes picturellus (Sch.) NEUROPTERA Chrysopidae Chrysopa sp.

DISCUSSION (Walker) and E. insulana (Boisduval) which are pests of okro, the corn bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera The result of the survey clearly indicated that (Hubner) a pest of corn and millet and the spiny although various insect pests are associated with C. brown bugs, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stal which is sesamoides, most of them are minor pests mostly a pest of pigeon pea and cowpea. The wider associated with the leaves and stem with only two implication of this findings include: 1.These pests are lepidopteran pests, A. catalaunalis and P. acuta polyphagous and utilise C. sesamoides as alternate being major pests of the leaves. Some of the insect host to the annual crops grown. 2. C. sesamoides is pests recorded on C. sesamoides are of medicinal a potential source of re-infestation of crop fields and and economic significance. The medicinal category storage barns and houses with the pests. 3. Control includes the muscid housefly, Musca spp. and the efforts targeted at these pests must take into account cockroach Blattella sp. Houseflies are a nuisance and the wide range of plant hosts of the pests in are involved in the transmission of various human integrated pest management programmes (Molta et diseases e.g. trachoma, conjunctivitis and al., 1998). It is important to stress that a reduction of gastroenteritis. In addition they are problematic pests the leaf area, particularly at the seedling stage could of livestock (Lloyd et al., 1981). Economic insects lower the photosynthetic activities of the plant and include Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Honey bee) which hence affect plant vigour, growth and yield (Ewete, help in the production of honey and it is now reared in 1978). commercial honey producing farms. Some of the insects found also include a number of annual crop Pests that directly or indirectly reduce the quantity pests. Notable among them are the cotton stainer, and/or quality of C. sesamoides leaves are very Dysdercus superstitiotus (Fabricius) which attacks important to the farmer as the crop is a leaf okro and cowpea, the spiny bollworm, Earias biplaga vegetable. The effect of A. catalaunalis was greatest

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at the seedling stage when the plant was just forming Burkill, H.M. 1985.The Useful Plants of West Tropical leaves and the pest population high. The pest was Africa, Vol. 4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 243 pp present on the crop from the seedling stage to the Chadha, S.S. 1977. Use of neem (Azadiractha indica A. fruiting stage Juss.) seed as a feeding inhibitor against Antigastra catalaunalis Dupon. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) a sesame A predatory larva, Philonthus sp. (Coleoptera: (Sesamum Indicum L.) pest in Nigeria. East African Staphylinidae) was observed to feed on the larvae of Agricultural and Forestry Journal 42: 257-262. A. catalaunalis and probably reduced its population to a level not ascertained in this study. The young Ewete, F.K. 1978. Insect species and description of larvae of two parasitoids Apanteles syleptea (Fer.) damage caused on Okra, Abelmoschus esculenthus and Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (L.) Moench. East African Agricultural Forestry Journal 44 (2): 152-163 were seen feeding on the larvae of A. catalaunalis. These parasitoid larvae pupate in a whitish case Fasakin, K. 1991. Studies on the effect of sowing depth attached to the specimen bottle in the laboratory or and planting density on vegetative growth and leaf on C. sesamoides leaf on the field. The adult yield of two local cultivars of Ceratotheca sesamoides parasitoid then emerges from the pupal case after Endl. M.Sc. Project, University of Ilorin, Ilorin. 128 pp. about seven days. These insect pests could be used Gbile, Z.O. 1983. Indigenous and adapted African as bio-control agents for A. catalaunalis both on C. vegetables. In 6th African symposium on Hort. Crops, sesamoides and Sesamum indicum. The mortality Ibadan, Nigeria. Ed. Omidiji, M.O. Acta Horticulturae inflicted by natural enemies is an important factor 123, v1, p 76. regulating pest population in tropical climates (Tamo Grubben, G.J.H. and Denton, O.A. 2004. Plant Resources et al., 1997). It has been suggested that the release of Tropical Africa 2: Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, of B. Hebetor Wesmael, B. brevicornis Wesmael and Netherlands/Beckluys Publishers, Wageningen. pp 63 Phanerotoma handecasisella for the control of A. – 176. catalaunalis was effective, while the release of LePelly, R.H. 1959. Agricultural Insects of East Africa. East predators like Cantheconidia furcellata Wolff, African Common Services Organization. Nairobi, Cicindella spp. and parasitiods like Trathala Kenya. flavoorbitalis (Cameron), Campoplex sp. Erioborus Lloyd, C.J., Wildey, K.B. and Chapman, P.C. 1981. Flies on sp. Temelucha biguttula (Matsumura), Apanteles spp the farm. Miscellaneous Publication of ODA, Slough and Cremastus flavoorbitalis (Cameron) are effective Laboratory, UK. p 9. on the larvae (Chadha, 1977). Molta, N.B., Buahin, G.K.A., Bdliya, H.H. and Akinsola, Insect pests associated with the reproductive stage of O.A. 1998. Insect species complex associated with C. sesamoides were mostly minor pests with only Acacia senegal in the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands of Oecanthus brevicauda (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) doing north-eastern Nigeria. Entomological Society of little damage by eating the petals of the flowers. Sap Nigeria, Occasional Publication.31: 11-21. sucking hemipterous insects such as Dysdercus Obi, R.K., Iroagba, I.I. and Ojiako. O.A. 2006. Virucidal superstitiosus, Nezera viridula and Clavigralla potential of some edible Nigerian vegetables. African tomentosicollis were present in low numbers during Journal of Biotechnology. 5 (19): 1785-1788. the survey and no visible significant damage was Olayide, S.O., Olatunbosun, D., Idusogie, E.O. and seen to be done by these insects. Abiagom, J.D. 1972. A qualitative analysis of food REFERENCES requirements, supplies and demand in Nigeria 1968- 1985. Federal Department of Agriculture. Lagos, Anon, 2008. Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl. Retrieved from Nigeria. Indian Medicinal Plants Growers’ Consortium; www.IMPGC.com. Tamo, M., Bottenberg, H., Arodokoun, D. and Adeoti, R. 1997. The feasibility of classical biological control of Anon, 2003. Medicinal plants. In: International Trade two major cowpea insect pests. In: Advances in Forum- The Quarterly Magazine of the International Cowpea Research. (Singh, B.B., Mohan Raj, D. R., Trade Centre. Retrieved from www.tradeforum.org. Dashiell, K.E. and Jackai, L. E. N. eds.) 375 pp. Bakare, S.O. 1987.Effect of nitrogen on yield of Van Rheenen, H.A. 1973. Major Problems of Growing Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl. B. Agric. Project, Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Nigeria. pub. Meded Department of Crop Production, University of Ilorin, Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen.130 pp. Ilorin, 87 p.

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