DOCSLIB.ORG

Fall Armyworm in Africa: a GUIDE for INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT First Edition Fall Armyworm in Africa: a GUIDE for INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT First Edition

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Fall Armyworm in Africa: a GUIDE for INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT First Edition Fall Armyworm in Africa: a GUIDE for INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT First Edition Fall Armyworm in Africa: A GUIDE FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT First Edition Fall Armyworm in Africa: A GUIDE FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT First Edition Editors B.M. Prasanna1 | Joseph E. Huesing2 Regina Eddy2 | Virginia M. Peschke3 in collaboration with international and national research and development partners 1CIMMYT; 2USAID; 3Oakside Editorial Services Feed the Future is America’s initiative to combat global hunger and poverty. Led by USAID and drawing on the support and expertise of multiple U.S. government agencies and departments, Feed the Future brings partners together to help some of the world’s poorest countries harness the power of agriculture and entrepreneurship to jumpstart their economies and create new opportunities. For more information, visit www.feedthefuture.gov. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID invests in ideas that work to improve the lives of millions of men, women and children by: investing in agricultural productivity so countries can feed their people; combating maternal and child mortality and deadly diseases like HIV, malaria and tuberculosis; providing life-saving assistance in the wake of disaster; promoting democracy, human rights and good governance around the world; fostering private-sector development and sustainable economic growth; helping communities adapt to a changing environment; and elevating the role of women and girls throughout all our work. For more information, visit www.usaid.gov. CIMMYT - The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center - is the global leader in publicly-funded maize and wheat research and related farming systems. Headquartered near Mexico City, CIMMYT works with hundreds of partners throughout the developing world to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat cropping systems, thus improving global food security and reducing poverty. CIMMYT is a member of the CGIAR System and leads the CGIAR Research Programs on Maize and Wheat and the Excellence in Breeding Platform. The Center receives support from national governments, foundations, development banks and other public and private agencies. For more information, visit www.cimmyt.org. The CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE) is an international collaboration led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) that seeks to mobilize global resources in maize R&D to achieve greater impact on maize- based farming systems in Africa, South Asia and Latin America. MAIZE strategy draws upon learning and experiences obtained through decades of extensive partnerships with national and international research and development partners, including both public and private institutions, and farming communities. For more information, visit www.maize.org. © 2018. USAID and CIMMYT. All rights reserved. The designations employed in the presentation of materials in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of USAID or CIMMYT or contributory organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. USAID and CIMMYT encourage fair use of this material. Proper citation is requested. Correct citation: B.M. Prasanna, Joseph E. Huesing, Regina Eddy, Virginia M. Peschke (eds). 2018. Fall Armyworm in Africa: A Guide for Integrated Pest Management, First Edition. Mexico, CDMX: CIMMYT. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in various chapters in this publication are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the official views of USAID, CIMMYT, or other organizations for whom the authors work. January 2018; First Edition Preface The world has seen significant progress in the fight against hunger, undernutrition and extreme poverty, although a lot still remains to be done. At the same time, the emergence and rapid spread of the fall armyworm (FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda) in Africa seriously threatens the food and income security of millions of smallholder farmers. Given what we know about the pest’s behavior in the Americas and from the early experiences in Africa, shared commitments to reduce poverty and hunger – as expressed by the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union’s Malabo Declaration and G7 – may be difficult to achieve without concerted and intensive actions at all levels. Within a short span of its introduction in Africa, FAW has been confirmed in over 30 African countries and it is likely to become endemic in many. Its major preference for maize, a staple food for over 300 million African smallholder farm families, poses a threat to food security, nutrition and livelihoods. Given the enormity of the challenge, an effective response requires coordinated action from the broadest possible community – African governments, international and national research institutions, donors, the private sector and civil society. An important foundation for this action must be an understanding of FAW behavior and the management practices that can help smallholder farmers effectively control the pest without damaging human and animal health and the environment. To this end, we convened experts from Africa and around the world in Entebbe, Uganda (Sept 16-17, 2017) to review and identify management options for control of FAW in Africa within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework. This publication, titled Fall Armyworm in Africa: A Guide to Integrated Pest Management, is the result of contributions of dozens of institutions and individuals, to whom we express our deep appreciation. This learning community consisted of experts and practitioners from international and national research and development institutions with extensive experience in pest biology; pest scouting, monitoring and surveillance; biological control; host plant resistance; pesticide risk management; agronomic and landscape management; and IPM strategies. To address the rapid spread of FAW in Africa, we have worked intensively to quickly review and highlight scientifically proven management practices that could be relevant for African farmers, especially smallholders. We intend to revise and release subsequent editions of this FAW IPM Guide, updating the scientific knowledge, management practices, protocols and research findings, as more evidence with regard to efficacy of various FAW management options in Africa emerges. Our approach to the development of this publication is guided by the Rome Principles developed by leaders at the 2009 World Summit on Food Security to guide urgent action to eradicate hunger. In particular, we seek to work in partnership to: • Ensure that scientific evidence and knowledge guides recommendations on FAW management practices and policies. • Foster strategic coordination to align the knowledge, experience and resources of diverse partners, avoid duplication of effort and identify implementation gaps. • Support country-level engagement and ownership of approaches to ensure assistance is tailored to the needs of individual countries and built on consultation with all key stakeholders. • Commit to building capacity, focusing on integrated actions addressing policies, institutions and people, with a special emphasis on smallholders and women farmers. Scope of this FAW IPM Guide This FAW IPM Guide is designed for use by professionals in plant protection organizations, extension agencies, research institutions, and Governments, whose primary focus is smallholder farmers and the seed systems that support them. The FAW IPM Guide is meant to provide an important foundation for the emergence of harmonized FAW pest management protocols that will continue to be informed by research. The guide is also expected to serve as the basis for a series of cascading technical knowledge dissemination materials and social and behavioral change communications that will specifically target the needs of the smallholder farmers in Africa. i Fall Armyworm in Africa: A Guide for Integrated Pest Management The demand for this FAW IPM Guide is high. Therefore, this first edition is meant to provide practitioners with the IPM foundation to successfully manage FAW in Africa. This includes chapters on FAW Pest Biology and Integrated Pest Management, Host Plant Resistance, Biocontrol, and Agroecological Landscape Management. Importantly, the guide provides protocols for Monitoring and Scouting for FAW in maize fields to assess the level of damage due to the pest and to suggest when interventions are warranted. Because the primary technical intervention, at least in the immediate term, is likely to be treatment with synthetic pesticides, a chapter is included on Pesticide Hazard and Risk Assessment and Compatibility with IPM. We recognize that some important topics are still in development and may be provided by other avenues in the short term. For example, we do not make specific pesticide recommendations, per se. The use of a particular pesticide is regulated at the country level and therefore varies by jurisdiction. Country recommendations and label directions must be followed when using pesticides. We do, however, provide generic information on what types of chemical pesticides should be avoided, what could be environmentally safer, and how best to assess pesticide hazards and risks. Further, we have not included information on pesticide application since, in many
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Good Water Ripples Volume 7 Number 4
    For information contact: http://txmn.org/goodwater [email protected] Volume 7 Number 4 August/September 2018 Editor: Mary Ann Melton Fall Training Class Starts Soon Good Water Mas- ter Naturalist Fall Training Class will start Tuesday even- ing, September 4th. The class will meet UPCOMING EVENTS on Tuesday eve- nings from 6:00- 8/9/18 NPSOT 9:30 p.m. Some 8/13/18 WAG classes and field trips will be on Sat- 8/23/18 GWMN urdays. The first class is Tuesday, Austin Butterfly Forum 8/27/18 September 4. The 9/5/18 NPAT last class will be December 11. Cost is $150 and includes the comprehensive Texas Master 9/13/18 NPSOT Naturalist Program manual as well as a one year membership to the Good 9/20/18 Travis Audubon Water Chapter. For couples who plan to share the manual, there is a dis- count for the second student. 9/24/18 Austin Butterfly Forum Click here for online registration. The Tuesday classes will start at 6:00 9/27/18 GWMN p.m. and finish around 9:30. There are four Saturday field trips and classes planned. The schedule will be posted in the next week or so. Check back Check the website for additional here after August 15 for the link to the schedule. events including volunteer and training opportunities. The events Click here: https://txmn.org/goodwater/Training-class-online-application/ are too numerous to post here. for Online Training Registration David Robinson took our Spring Training Class this year. He says, "The Fall Training Class Starts Soon 1 Instructors & Speakers were absolutely fantastic.
    [Show full text]
  • The African Scare of Fall Armyworm: Are South African Farmers Immune?
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITY STUDIES Vol 12, No 1, 2020 ISSN: 1309-8063 (Online) THE AFRICAN SCARE OF FALL ARMYWORM: ARE SOUTH AFRICAN FARMERS IMMUNE? Witness Maluleke University of Limpopo Email: [email protected] Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-1640 –Abstract– The manifestations of Fall Armyworm [FAW] (Spodoptera frugiperda) in South Africa were all clearly reminders of the seriousness of this epidemic in 2019. The scare caused by FAW as an African Moth continues to multiple largely. This is becoming a factor for African farmers, seeking urgent acknowledgement of the associated detrimental effects mapped with economic, social, environmental opportunities and fully exploitation of sustainable agriculture in the country and elsewhere. This study adopted qualitative research approach, with an aid of non- empirical research design: Systematic review, closely looking at recent reputable reports across globe, while using South Africa as a case study, from 1995-2019 (i.e. 24 years’ projection). This study found that South African readiness against FAW is [currently] highly questionable, with the consequences of failing to act clearly felt by many South African farmers, therefore, the strategies geared towards this pandemic [might] not be able to totally stop the clock on its effects on farming practices, however, revisiting and adding to the available strategies can be beneficial to this sector to holistically affirm and sustain agriculture in South Africa as one of the two sectors at the core of economic development. It is concluded that there is no single solution to respond to this elusive spread, thus, multi-agency approach is highly sought.
    [Show full text]
  • Insect Pest Management in Soybeans 12 by G
    Chapter Insect Pest Management in Soybeans 12 by G. Lorenz, D. Johnson, G. Studebaker, C. Allen and S. Young, III he importance of insect pests in Arkansas Finally, it is important to determine what soybeans is extremely variable from year to management tactics are available and whether or year due in large part to environmental not they are economically feasible. T conditions. For example, hot, dry years favor many lepidopterous pests such as the soybean Insect Identification podworm and the beet armyworm; and when drought conditions occur, these pests usually are The three types of insect pests found in soybeans abundant. Many other lepidopterous pests, such as in Arkansas are: the velvetbean caterpillar and the soybean looper, 1. Foliage feeders, which comprise the biggest may cause problems following migrations from group of insect pests, southern areas, particularly in concurrence with winds out of the Gulf region where they are a 2. Pod feeders, which are probably the most common problem. Generally, insect pressure is detrimental to yield, and greater in the southern part of the state compared to 3. Stem, root and seedling feeders, which are northern Arkansas due to warmer temperatures and often the hardest to sample and are not detected closeness to the aforementioned migration sources. until after they have caused damage. Production practices also have an impact on the Some insects, such as the bean leaf beetle, may feed GEMENT occurrence of pest insects in soybeans. For example, on both foliage and pods but are primarily insects such as the Dectes stem borer and grape considered foliage feeders.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Distribution of Parasitoids of Larvae of the Fall Armyworm, <I
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Faculty Publications: Department of Entomology Entomology, Department of 2009 Natural distribution of parasitoids of larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Argentina M Gabriela Murua Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres, CONICET Jamie Molina Ochoa Universidad de Colima, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Patricio Fidalgo CRILAR Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologyfacpub Part of the Entomology Commons Murua, M Gabriela; Ochoa, Jamie Molina; and Fidalgo, Patricio, "Natural distribution of parasitoids of larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Argentina" (2009). Faculty Publications: Department of Entomology. 384. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologyfacpub/384 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Entomology, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications: Department of Entomology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Journal of Insect Science: Vol. 9 | Article 20 Murúa et al. Natural distribution of parasitoids of larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Argentina M. Gabriela Murúaa,b, Jaime Molina-Ochoac,d and Patricio Fidalgoe aEstación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres, Sección Zoología Agrícola, CC 9, Las Talitas (T4101XAC), Tucumán, Argentina bCONICET cUniversidad de Colima, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Km. 40, autopista Colima-Manzanillo, Tecomán, Colima (28100), México dDepartment of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0816, USA eCRILAR (CONICET), entre Ríos y Mendoza s/n, Anillaco (5301), La Rioja, Argentina Abstract To develop a better understanding of the natural distribution of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and to update the knowledge of the incidence of its complex of parasitoids.
    [Show full text]
  • No Slide Title
    Tachinidae: The “other” parasitoids Diego Inclán University of Padova Outline • Briefly (re-) introduce parasitoids & the parasitoid lifestyle • Quick survey of dipteran parasitoids • Introduce you to tachinid flies • major groups • oviposition strategies • host associations • host range… • Discuss role of tachinids in biological control Parasite vs. parasitoid Parasite Life cycle of a parasitoid Alien (1979) Life cycle of a parasitoid Parasite vs. parasitoid Parasite Parasitoid does not kill the host kill its host Insects life cycles Life cycle of a parasitoid Some facts about parasitoids • Parasitoids are diverse (15-25% of all insect species) • Hosts of parasitoids = virtually all terrestrial insects • Parasitoids are among the dominant natural enemies of phytophagous insects (e.g., crop pests) • Offer model systems for understanding community structure, coevolution & evolutionary diversification Distribution/frequency of parasitoids among insect orders Primary groups of parasitoids Diptera (flies) ca. 20% of parasitoids Hymenoptera (wasps) ca. 70% of parasitoids Described Family Primary hosts Diptera parasitoid sp Sciomyzidae 200? Gastropods: (snails/slugs) Nemestrinidae 300 Orth.: Acrididae Bombyliidae 5000 primarily Hym., Col., Dip. Pipunculidae 1000 Hom.:Auchenorrycha Conopidae 800 Hym:Aculeata Lep., Orth., Hom., Col., Sarcophagidae 1250? Gastropoda + others Lep., Hym., Col., Hem., Tachinidae > 8500 Dip., + many others Pyrgotidae 350 Col:Scarabaeidae Acroceridae 500 Arach.:Aranea Hym., Dip., Col., Lep., Phoridae 400?? Isop.,Diplopoda
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. EPA, Pesticide Product Label, LAMBDA 13% INSECTICIDE, 04/24
    EPA Reg. Number: Date of Issuance: US. ENVIRONMENTAI.PR<lTECTION AGENCY 71532-20 Office of Pesticide Programs APR 2 4 20D7 Registration Division (H7505C) 1200 Pl:nnsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.c' 20460 NOTICE OF PESTICIDE: L Registration _ Reregistration (Under FrFRA as amended) Name LG Life Sciences, Ltd. c/o Biologic Inc. 115 Obtuse Hill Road and Rodenticide Act. Registration is in no way to bc construed as an endorsement or recommendation of this product by the Agency. In order to prot~t health and the : environment, the Administrator, on his motion, may at any time suspend or cancel the registratIOn of a pesticide in accordance with the Act. The acceptance , of any name in conneCtion with the registration of a product under this Act is not to be construed as giving the registrant a right to exclusive use of the name or to its use if it has been covered by others. This product is conditionally registercd in accordance with PIFRA sec. 3(c)(7)(A), subject to the following provisions: 1. You will submit andlor cite all data required for registration/reregistration of your pmduct under FIFRA sec. 3( c)(5) when the Agency requires all registrants of similar products to submit su;h data; and submit acceptable responses required for reregistration of your product under FIFRA sectior 4. 2. You will make the following label changes before you release the product for shipmmt: a) Revise the EPA Registration Number to read "EPA Reg. No.71532-20." b) Add "Contains petroleum distillates" immediately below the ingredient statement as a footnote below the term "Inert ingredients." c) Under First Aid list the statcments in the following order: "If on skin or clothing, Ifin eyes, If swallowed, If inhaled." d) Revise the 2"d bullet of the "If Swallowed" first aid statements to read "Do not give any liquid to the person." e) Add H(PPE)" after the Personal Protective Equipment headi!lg on page 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloadable from and Animals and Their Significance
    Volume 31(3): 1–380 METAMORPHOSIS ISSN 1018–6490 (PRINT) ISSN 2307–5031 (ONLINE) LEPIDOPTERISTS’ SOCIETY OF AFRICA An overview of Lepidoptera-host-parasitoid associations for southern Africa, including an illustrated report on 2 370 African Lepidoptera-host and 119 parasitoid-Lepidoptera associations Published online: 3 November 2020 Hermann S. Staude1*, Marion Maclean1, Silvia Mecenero1,2, Rudolph J. Pretorius3, Rolf G. Oberprieler4, Simon van Noort5, Allison Sharp1, Ian Sharp1, Julio Balona1, Suncana Bradley1, Magriet Brink1, Andrew S. Morton1, Magda J. Botha1, Steve C. Collins1,6, Quartus Grobler1, David A. Edge1, Mark C. Williams1 and Pasi Sihvonen7 1Caterpillar Rearing Group (CRG), LepSoc Africa. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 2Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa. [email protected] 3Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science. Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. [email protected] 4CSIRO National Insect Collection, G. P. O. Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2701, Australia. [email protected] 5Research & Exhibitions Department, South African Museum, Iziko Museums of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa and Department
    [Show full text]
  • DAMSEL BUGS Hemiptera: Nabidae Nabis Alternatus, N
    Modified from Ralph E. Berry. 1998©. Insects and Mites of Economic Importance in the Northwest. 2nd Ed. 221 p. DAMSEL BUGS Hemiptera: Nabidae Nabis alternatus, N. americoferus ___________________________________________________________________________ DESCRIPTION Adults are tan or grayish-brown, with piercing- sucking mouthparts and well-developed wings. The membranous portion of the first pair of wings has a number of small cells around the margin. The front pair of legs is modified for grasping their prey. They have slender bodies, and are about 4 to 12 mm long. Nymphs resemble adults, except they are smaller and have no wings. LIFE HISTORY Western damsel bug adult feeding on lygus Damsel bugs overwinter as adults in protected places around the margins of fields. Adults of the Western damsel bug, N. alternatus, begin emerging in May or early June and N. americolferus begins emerging in late March or early April. Adults begin laying eggs soon after emergence. Eggs are flattened on top and are inserted into soft plant tissue along the stems. Eggs hatch into nymphs, which feed on small insects, mites, or eggs. Early instar nymphs may be found on the soil surface beneath plants and under litter near the stems. N. americolferus has two complete Western Damsel bug nymph generations each year with little overlap between the develoopmental stages. N. alternatus has numerous, overlapping generations during the season. DAMSEL BUG IMPORTANCE ADULTS EGGS, NYMPHS, ADULTS Adults and nymphs feed on many soft-bodied insects, OVERLAPPING GENERATIONS including aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers, small ADULTS caterpillars, and insect eggs including those of the J F M A M J J A S O N D Colorado potato beetle.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall Armyworm
    How to identify... Fall armyworm Fall armyworm or ‘American armyworm’ is a new pest in Africa that is currently attacking maize. This pest originates from the Americas, but it has recently been found in several countries in West and Southern Africa. This guide will help you to recognize fall armyworm and tell it apart from similar caterpillars such as other armyworms, stalk borers and cut worms. IDENTIFICATION Half-grown or fully grown caterpillars are the easiest to identify. Fall armyworm caterpillars have a characteristic pattern of dark pimples (spots) on their backs, each spot has a short bristle (hair). Although the skin looks rough it is smooth to the touch. Look out for four dark spots forming a square on the second to last segment (red circle). Each of the other body segments also has four spots, but they do not from a square pattern (yellow circle). The head is dark and shows a characteristic upside down Y-shaped pale marking on the front (blue circle). ©Russ Ottens, Bugwood.org ✔ ©Russ Ottens, Bugwood.org ✔ ©Russ Ottens, Bugwood.org ✔ Other armyworms, maize stem borer and cotton bollworm ©Donald Hobern, Denmark Hobern, ©Donald ✘ Denmark Hobern, ©Donald ✘ The cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) often shows a similar pattern of dots on its back, but its head is usually paler, and although they can also show an inverted Y this is usually a similar colour to the rest of the head. Unlike the fall armyworm they feel rough to the touch due to tiny spines. us Kloppers/PANNAR us ©Rik ✘ Bugwood.org Cranshaw, ©Whitney ✘ Flickr Reyes, Marquina ©David ✘ African armyworm Beet armyworm African cotton leafworm Spodoptera exempta Spodoptera exigua Spodoptera littoralis ©NBAIR ✘ CABI ©R.Reeder, ✘ Spotted stem borer African maize stalk borer Chilo partellus Busseola fusca Damage caused by Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) ©J.
    [Show full text]
  • Occurrence and Distribution of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Other Moths on Maize in Ghana B
    OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF FALL ARMYWORM, SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) AND OTHER MOTHS ON MAIZE IN GHANA By DJIMA KOFFI ID: 10600839 A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (M.PHIL.) DEGREE IN ENTOMOLOGY. AFRICAN REGIONAL POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME IN INSECT SCIENCE (ARPPIS) UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON, ACCRA, GHANA AUGUST, 2018 * JOINT INTER-FACULTY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE TRAINING OF ENTOMOLOGISTS IN WEST AFRICA COLLABORATING DEPARTMENTS: ANIMAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION SCIENCE (SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES) AND CROP SCIENCE (SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE) COLLEGE OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES DECLARATION I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of the original work personally done by me for the award of a Master of Philosophy Degree in Entomology at the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), University of Ghana, Legon. All the references to other people’s work have been duly acknowledged and this thesis has not been submitted in part or whole for the award of a degree elsewhere. Signature……………....................................... Date………………………………………….. DJIMA KOFFI (STUDENT) Signature……………....................................... Date………………………………………….. DR. ROSINA KYEREMATEN (PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR) Signature……………....................................... Date………………………………………….. DR. VINCENT Y. EZIAH (CO-SUPERVISOR) Signature……………....................................... Date………………………………………….. DR.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of the West Indian Arachnocoris Scott, 1881 (Hemiptera: Nabidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species, and a Catalog of the Species1
    Life: The Excitement of Biology 4(1) 32 Review of the West Indian Arachnocoris Scott, 1881 (Hemiptera: Nabidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species, and a Catalog of the Species1 Javier E. Mercado2, Jorge A. Santiago-Blay3, and Michael D. Webb4 Abstract: We review the West Indian species of Arachnocoris, a genus of spider-web dwelling kleptoparasitic nabids. We recognize five species: A. berytoides Uhler from Grenada, A. darlingtoni n. sp. from Hispaniola, A. karukerae Lopez-Moncet from Guadeloupe, A. portoricensis n. sp. from Puerto Rico, and A. trinitatis Bergroth from Trinidad. West Indian Arachnocoris antennal and profemoral color banding patterns are useful diagnostic characters and may have evolved to mimic their spider hosts, which are often island endemic spiders in the family Pholcidae. We provide a simplified and illustrated key to the species based on external characters. A catalog for the 16 recognized species of Arachnocoris is presented. Keywords: Hemiptera, Nabidae, Arachnocoris, new species, Neotropical, West Indies Introduction The Nabidae are a relatively small family in the insect order Hemiptera with approximately 20-30 genera and 400-500 described species (Henry 2009, Faúndez and Carvajal 2014). All described species are terrestrial predators. Some species are considered beneficial to humans as these help control populations of agricultural pests. Several species of Nabis have been reported as biting humans (Faúndez 2015). Within the Nabidae Arachnocoris is one of two genera in the tribe Arachnocorini. The arachnophilic genus5 Arachnocoris Scott is a small and little-known group of specialized kleptoparasitic nabids that spend their life- stages living in a relatively treacherous habitat, namely a spider’s web, particularly non-sticky portions of it (Henry 1999; Mercado-Santiago-Blay 2015; Figure 1, this paper).
    [Show full text]
  • E0020 Common Beneficial Arthropods Found in Field Crops
    Common Beneficial Arthropods Found in Field Crops There are hundreds of species of insects and spi- mon in fields that have not been sprayed for ders that attack arthropod pests found in cotton, pests. When scouting, be aware that assassin bugs corn, soybeans, and other field crops. This publi- can deliver a painful bite. cation presents a few common and representative examples. With few exceptions, these beneficial Description and Biology arthropods are native and common in the south- The most common species of assassin bugs ern United States. The cumulative value of insect found in row crops (e.g., Zelus species) are one- predators and parasitoids should not be underes- half to three-fourths of an inch long and have an timated, and this publication does not address elongate head that is often cocked slightly important diseases that also attack insect and upward. A long beak originates from the front of mite pests. Without biological control, many pest the head and curves under the body. Most range populations would routinely reach epidemic lev- in color from light brownish-green to dark els in field crops. Insecticide applications typical- brown. Periodically, the adult female lays cylin- ly reduce populations of beneficial insects, often drical brown eggs in clusters. Nymphs are wing- resulting in secondary pest outbreaks. For this less and smaller than adults but otherwise simi- reason, you should use insecticides only when lar in appearance. Assassin bugs can easily be pest populations cannot be controlled with natu- confused with damsel bugs, but damsel bugs are ral and biological control agents.
    [Show full text]