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Farmers' Knowledge and Perceptions of Blister Beetles, Hycleus Spp

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Farmers' Knowledge and Perceptions of Blister Beetles, Hycleus Spp This article was downloaded by: [ZR Khan] On: 31 May 2012, At: 01:18 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK International Journal of Pest Management Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ttpm20 Farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of blister beetles, Hycleus spp. (Coleoptera: Meloidae), as pest herbivores of Desmodium legumes in western Kenya Lefulesele N. Lebesa a b c , Zeyaur R. Khan a , Kerstin Krüger b , Toby J.A. Bruce d , Ahmed Hassanali e & John A. Pickett d a International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya b Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa c Department of Agricultural Research, Box 829, Maseru, 100, Lesotho d Biological Chemistry Department, Rothamsted Research, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, Harpenden, UK e Chemistry Department, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844‐00100, Nairobi, Kenya Available online: 21 May 2012 To cite this article: Lefulesele N. Lebesa, Zeyaur R. Khan, Kerstin Krüger, Toby J.A. Bruce, Ahmed Hassanali & John A. Pickett (2012): Farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of blister beetles, Hycleus spp. (Coleoptera: Meloidae), as pest herbivores of Desmodium legumes in western Kenya, International Journal of Pest Management, 58:2, 165-174 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2012.673032 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. International Journal of Pest Management Vol. 58, No. 2, April–June 2012, 165–174 Farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of blister beetles, Hycleus spp. (Coleoptera: Meloidae), as pest herbivores of Desmodium legumes in western Kenya Lefulesele N. Lebesaa,b,c*, Zeyaur R. Khana, Kerstin Kru¨gerb, Toby J.A. Bruced, Ahmed Hassanalie and John A. Pickettd aInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Kenya; bDepartment of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa; cDepartment of Agricultural Research, Box 829, Maseru, 100, Lesotho; dBiological Chemistry Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; eChemistry Department, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya (Received 11 January 2011; final version received 18 October 2011) A survey was undertaken to determine the pest status of herbivorous blister beetles, Hycleus spp., in western Kenya where they attack crops such as Desmodium spp., other leguminous plants and sweetpotato. Desmodium spp. are important intercrops in the ‘push–pull’’ strategy adopted for Striga and stemborer control in maize and sorghum. Production of desmodium seed is adversely affected by blister beetles, which feed on the flowers and negatively affect seed setting. To assess farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of Hycleus spp. as pests, a questionnaire survey was conducted in three sites in Bungoma district, western Kenya, in 2007. The survey was followed by field sampling of Desmodium spp. and sweetpotato to compare the results with the responses received from farmers. Hycleus spp. were mentioned by 75% of the respondents as major pests of Desmodium spp. During field sampling Hycleus spp. comprised 70% of the insect pests collected. According to farmers, blister beetles were more abundant on desmodium than on sweetpotato. However, field sampling revealed that differences in beetle abundance on the two crops were not consistent across different sites, suggesting that these crops may function as alternative hosts. The study provides baseline information for the development of a management strategy for blister beetles. Keywords: Desmodium spp.; questionnaire; field survey; pest status; sweetpotato 1. Introduction establish community-based desmodium seed produc- Desmodium spp. (Fabaceae), such as Desmodium tion units in East Africa (Khan et al. 2008b). uncinatum Jacq. DC., play an important role as The main constraint upon the production of intercrops for maize and sorghum in ‘‘push–pull’’ desmodium seed is infestation by blister beetles, crop protection strategies due to their repellent notably Hycleus spp. (Coleoptera: Meloidae; formerly (‘‘push’’) properties against maize stemborers (Lepi- Coryna) (Pickett et al. 2010; Lebesa et al. 2011), which doptera), and their ability to cause suicidal germina- feed on flowers causing damage and preventing the Downloaded by [ZR Khan] at 01:18 31 May 2012 tion of dormant seeds of witchweed, Striga spp. development of seed. Apart from desmodium, blister (Scrophulariaceae), and so suppress population levels beetles have been observed feeding on floral parts of of that parasitic weed (Khan et al. 2000, 2002, 2006a, other crops such as sweetpotato, cowpea and okra in 2006b, 2008a). The ‘‘push–pull’’ strategy was devel- several parts of western Kenya (L.N. Lebesa, unpub- oped for small-scale farmers by ICIPE (International lished observations). The available literature on Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology) and its two meloids in Kenya, however, mainly documents Coryna partners, KARI (Kenya Agricultural Research Insti- and Mylabris as being associated with other legumi- tute, Kenya) and Rothamsted Research, UK (Pickett nous crops (Abate and Ampofo 1996; Hillocks et al. 1998; Cook et al. 2007; Khan et al. 2008a). Apart from 2000). Mylabris spp. and Coryna spp. are reported to its role as an intercrop in the ‘‘push–pull’’ technology, co-occur frequently on the same plant crop in various Desmodium spp. (hereafter referred to as desmodium) sub-Saharan countries (Abate and Ampofo 1996; are also nutritious fodder crops for livestock (PANE- Tanzubil and Yakubu 1997; Lale and Sastawa 2000). SA/ARNAB 1990; Paterson et al. 1998; Khan et al. In West Africa, several species of blister beetle, for 2006a). Thus, desmodium is valuable for small-scale example Psalydolytta spp., Mylabris spp. and Hycleus farmers. The increased demand for desmodium seed spp. (formerly Coryna) (Bologna and Pinto 2002), have associated with the widespread adoption of the ‘‘push– been observed feeding on pollen or flowers of various pull’’ technology prompted ICIPE and its partners to grain crops such as sorghum, pearl millet and cowpea, *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] ISSN 0967-0874 print/ISSN 1366-5863 online Ó 2012 Taylor & Francis http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2012.673032 http://www.tandfonline.com 166 L.N. Lebesa et al. which reduces grain yields (Gahukar 1991; Lale and beetles. In addition, a field survey to assess the Sastawa 2000). abundance of blister beetles on desmodium and Adult blister beetles may range from 5 mm to alternative host plants was undertaken to compare 40 mm in body length, depending on the species the results with the responses of farmers. (Scholtz and Holm 1986). The adult female lays cylindrical eggs in batches in the soil. Upon hatching 2. Material and methods into active larvae called triungulins, the progeny search for grasshopper eggs for feeding (Hill 1975; Selander 2.1. Household survey 1986; Abate and Ampofo 1996; O¨zbek and Szaloki A household survey was undertaken in the Bungoma 1998). The larvae develop into later larval stages inside district (08340 to 08390S, 348300 to 348320E) in the the grasshopper egg pod (Nikbakhtzadeh 2004). Western Province in Kenya in October and November Damage to plants is inflicted by adult beetles only; 2007 to identify potential crops infested by blister these feed on both floral parts as well as on the beetles; this was followed by a field survey. A question- developing seeds, thereby negatively affecting seed naire was developed and enumerators with knowledge setting and, consequently, yields. Meloids are largely of the local language were trained on how to interview polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of host plants farmers. Thereafter, enumerators undertook face-to- within families such as Fabaceae, Malvaceae, face interviews in 92 farm households. Participating Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae (Selander 1986; farmers were selected randomly within the three Bologna and Pinto 2002; Zhu et al. 2005; Lebesa categories of farmers from three sub-locations in the et al. 2011). Bungoma district. Of these, 44 were from Marakaru Although the presence of blister beetles in different and Tutii and involved in producing desmodium seed, crops is usually not considered to be a serious 33 farmers from the same areas were practising the constraint (Hill 1975; Zhu et al. 2005), infestations of ‘‘push–pull’’ technology, and 15 farmers from Kapchai crops grown in small-holder plots may cause consider- were not involved in either
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