Cyriaque Agboton - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Cyriaque Agboton
EarthArXiv (California Digital Library), Feb 8, 2024
Frontiers in agronomy, Aug 20, 2023
Climate
All stakeholders, especially households that depend on agriculture, must come up with every avenu... more All stakeholders, especially households that depend on agriculture, must come up with every avenue available to improve farm productivity in order to raise yields due to the constraints posed by climate change on food production systems. Sufficient increments in yields will address the challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households, especially smallholder ones. Yield increases can be achieved sustainably through the deployment of various Climate Smart Integrated Pest Management (CS-IPM) practices, including good agronomic practices. Therefore, CS-IPM practices could be essential in ensuring better household welfare, including food security and nutrition. With such impact empirically documented, appropriate policy guidance can be realized in favor of CS-IPM practices at scale, thus helping to achieve sustainable food security and food systems. However, to this end, there is yet limited evidence on the real impact of CS-IPM practices on the various core soc...
Le sorgho Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench est la deuxieme cereale la plus cultivee apres le mais au T... more Le sorgho Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench est la deuxieme cereale la plus cultivee apres le mais au Togo. Sa production subit des pertes de rendements de plus en plus importantes, du fait des attaques d'insectes ravageurs, principalement la cicadelle ecumeuse, Poophilus costalis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) et la cecidomyie, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett) (Cecidomyidae: Diptera). Cette etude a ete realisee en station et au champ pour evaluer l'efficacite du biopesticide Huile de Neem et des insecticides de synthese Cypermethrine et Chlopyrifos ethyle contre P. costalis et S. sorghicola. Trois doses d'Huile de Neem (964, 2892 et 5784 ml.ha-1), de cypermethrine (Cypercal 50 EC : 128, 384 et 768 ml.ha-1) et de chlorpyrifos ethyle (Dursban 480 EC: 38, 114 et 228 ml.ha-1) ont ete appliquees hebdomadairement dans des parcelles de sorgho contre ces deux ravageurs. Des parcelles non traitees ont represente le temoin. Un dispositif en blocs aleatoires complets avec 4 re...
African Entomology, 2017
Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. is an important export crop in Benin, but incurs serious damage... more Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. is an important export crop in Benin, but incurs serious damage from the cashew wood borer Apate terebrans Pallas. In spite of its economic importance, the population dynamics of this beetle have never been studied, thus precluding any science-based development and implementation of control strategies. The spatial and temporal abundance pattern of A. terebrans was therefore monitored in 17 mature cashew orchards distributed across three agro-ecological zones in Benin. In each orchard, 30 cashew trees were chosen at random and inspected monthly for two consecutive years. As this insect feeds inside branches and trunks by boring holes, direct observations of adults inside the tree are not possible. Therefore infestations of trees were estimated by the occurrence and number of fresh entry holes. Over the two-year observation period, infestations in the cashew trees by A. terebrans started in September, peaked in January-February and sharply declined thereafter, reaching zero by July-August. Whereas the infestation rates were statistically similar between sampling years or among agro-ecological zones, they differed significantly among sampling months. Aggregation indices calculated using Taylor's power law indicated that A. terebrans has an aggregated spatial distribution. Values of the Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE) index indicated that the spatial pattern of the infestation in a given year does not depend on the pattern observed in the previous years, suggesting that A. terebrans generally prefers to infest new trees. Implications of our findings for the development, implementation and monitoring of effective control strategies against A. terebrans are discussed.
Agronomy
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that identifies actions needed to transform and re... more Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that identifies actions needed to transform and reorganize agricultural systems to effectively support agricultural development and ensure food security in the face of climate change. In this study, we assessed farmers’ perception of climate change, available CSA practices (CSAP) and the determinants of CSAP adoption in northern Benin. A list of CSAP was generated from a workshop with different stakeholders. Face-to-face interviews were then carried out with 368 farmers selected based on stratified random sampling in the study area. Binomial generalized mixed-effect models were run to analyze the relation between socio-demographic characteristics and the use of CSAP. CSAP were evaluated using a three-point Likert scale and the frequency of agreement with the statement that the selected practices meet the pillars of CSA. More than 60% of farmers had heard about climate change, and more than 80% had observed changes in temperature, rainfa...
Journal of Insect Science, 2014
Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin... more Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin. However, its production is threatened by several biotic factors, especially insects. In Benin, very few studies have focused on insects and just listed species commonly found on cashew worldwide. The present investigation fills this gap by presenting an exhaustive inventory of insect species associated with this crop in the country. The survey was carried out from September 2009 to August 2010 in 22 cashew orchards (5 young and 17 mature) distributed over three major agroecological zones where cashew is most produced in the country. Insects were collected using chemical knock-down technique and visual observation followed by capture with sweep net. In addition, infested plant organs were sampled and incubated to collect emerging insects. In total, 262 insect species were recorded and identified. Among them, the wood borer Apate terebrans Pallas, the leafminer Eteoryctis gemoniella Stainton, and the mirid bugs Helopeltis schoutedeni Reuter., and Helopeltis anacardii Miller., appeared as the most important insect species attacking cashew in Benin. Beneficial insects encountered included some predators, parasitoids, and pollinators. Few vertebrate predators were also recorded on the trees. Differences in agroecological conditions or in field cleanliness did not affect the number of insect species encountered in the cashew orchards. The results of this study represent an important baseline data for the design and implementation of strategies for cashew protection in Benin.
Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2021
This research was conducted in the framework of the feasibility study related to FOCUSED-Benin pr... more This research was conducted in the framework of the feasibility study related to FOCUSED-Benin project, the 5th work package of the YES-PV NIG BEN project financed by the German Government through its Ministry of Research and High Education (BMBF). The FOCUSED Benin project’s major objective is to protect the environment through the utilization of solar energy for drying agricultural products and table salt harvesting. Salt is important in human daily life. It is used for conservation of food, softening water, industrial processes, road de-icing, food seasoning, etc. Seawater evaporation, salt mining, and salt brine are the major sources of salt production worldwide. However, in West Africa, particularly in Benin Republic, table salt is produced using methods that negatively impact the ecology of the mangrove. This study aimed at investigating the current status of salt production in Benin Republic, its impact on the mangrove and its related health issues. Field visits, meeting with...
La cicadelle ecumeuse Poophilus costalis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) est un ravageur emergen... more La cicadelle ecumeuse Poophilus costalis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) est un ravageur emergent causant d’importants degâts aux cultures de mais au Togo. Afin de mener une lutte efficace et durable contre ce ravageur, des prospections ont ete realisees en saison seche et en saison humide dans 50 localites du Togo situees dans differentes zones agro ecologiques. Ces prospections ont permis d’evaluer la dynamique de la population du ravageur et d’inventorier ses ennemis naturels endogenes et d’autres plantes hotes alternatives. Les resultats ont montre que P. costalis attaque le mais dans les quatre zones agro ecologiques du Togo. La densite de sa population dans les champs a varie suivant les zones et les mois. Elle a ete plus elevee dans les zones du littoral, de la savane humide et de la savane seche que dans la zone forestiere. La periode de proliferation intense de sa population se situe en juillet, aout et septembre, respectivement pour les zones du littoral, de la savane hum...
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
Trichogrammatoidea eldanae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is an egg parasitoid of seve... more Trichogrammatoidea eldanae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is an egg parasitoid of several lepidopteran insect pests in West Africa. In this study, we assessed the suitability of three different host species viz; Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as potential host for mass-rearing T. eldanae . This was done by determining the biological parameters of the parasitoid on the different host species. The effect of rearing host species on the performance of T. eldanae was also investigated. The parasitoid successfully developed on all tested host species. However, the biological parameters including fecundity, number of adults emerged per parasitised egg, progeny and developmental period varied significantly with host species. The number of parasitised eggs and the progeny per female were highest on Corcyra cephalonica (80 ± 10.72 and 103.66 ± 13.44, respectively) and there was no significant difference between E. saccharina (35.44 ± 7.11 and 38.44 ± 9.01, respectively) and S. calamistis (32.33 ± 5.94 and 57.33 ± 10.02, respectively). The shortest developmental period (9.17 ± 0.026) was recorded on C. cephalonica and the longest on E. saccharina (9.20 ± 0.051). The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.37 ± 0.02) was recorded on C. cephalonica and the lowest (0.32 ± 0.01) was recorded on E. saccharina . Moreover, the host species used to rear T. eldanae did not affect its reproductive potential. It resulted from this study that C. cephalonica was the most suitable host and can be used to mass-rear T. eldanae for augmentative purpose to control cereal stemborers.
Journal of Applied Biosciences
Efficacité du ramassage et du brûlage systématiques des bois morts dans la lutte contre le foreur... more Efficacité du ramassage et du brûlage systématiques des bois morts dans la lutte contre le foreur de bois, Apate terebrans, dans les anacarderaies du Nord-Bénin
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
In this study, we investigate the spatio-temporal fluctuations of the cashew leafminer Eteoryctis... more In this study, we investigate the spatio-temporal fluctuations of the cashew leafminer Eteoryctis gemoniella Stainton, which was recently reported as one of the most devastating cashew pests in Benin. Eteoryctis gemoniella causes serious damage, especially to the young tender leaves, thus reducing the photosynthetic capacity of trees and hence their productivity. This study was carried out in three different cashew orchards in Northern Benin, West Africa, where we monitored the fluctuations of the infestation rates and population changes of E. gemoniella during a one-year cycle, from September 2010 to August 2011. In addition, we collected cashew leaves with mines to check for emergence of hymenopteran parasitoids. Our results show that infestation rates (as well as population densities of E. gemoniella) varied through time and among orchards. The most infested orchard was at Korou, whereas, the least infested was at Okoutaossé. In general, infestation rates and number of mines per ...
Environmental entomology, Jan 5, 2018
The tachinid Nemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) was introduced from Taiwan to Benin ... more The tachinid Nemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) was introduced from Taiwan to Benin for evaluating its potential as a biocontrol candidate against the cowpea pest Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). To optimize its rearing, we assessed the influence of M. vitrata larval age and rearing substrate-cowpea germinating grains and peabush leaves-on its life table parameters, while its host specificity was investigated with regard to nontarget effects. Parasitism rates were higher when older larvae (10- and 14-d old) were offered to females of N. maculosa compared to the younger (2-, 4-, and 6-d old) host larvae. Regardless of the rearing substrate, development time was longer for females than males, and females lived longer than males irrespective of the age of the host. Sex ratio did not vary significantly with host ages or rearing substrate. The average number of eggs laid by a female reared from M. vitrata larvae feeding on cowpea germinating grains or pea...
Crop Protection, 2015
ABSTRACT The insecticidal activity of Maruca vitrata (F.) multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV) c... more ABSTRACT The insecticidal activity of Maruca vitrata (F.) multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV) combined with oil from neem, Azadirachta indica Juss and Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) was studied under laboratory and field conditions against three key insect pests of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Secondinstar Aphis craccivora Koch and Megalurothirps sjostedti Trybom nymphs, and third-instar M. vitrata larvae, all from laboratory colonies, were treated with various concentrations of one of the control agents separately or combined. Daily mortality was recorded for five days (A. craccivora and M. sjostedti nymphs) or fourteen days (M. vitrata) and the larval and pupal development as well as adult emergence were assessed. Combination of MaviMNPV resulted in a significantly higher larval mortality in M. vitrata than treatment with either virus or botanical insecticide alone at the corresponding concentrations. Larvae of M. vitrata infected with MaviMNPV and treated with botanical oils died sooner than those infected with only one control agent. Combinations of MaviMNPV and botanical oils produced additive or synergistic effects. No evidence of antagonistic effects was noted. In field experiments, the application of botanical insecticide and MaviMNPV either alone or in combination was effective in reducing insect abundance over the four weeks, and preventing yield loss. In the first field season, where the M. vitrata population was higher, the combination of the virus and either of the botanical pesticides induced significantly higher yields than spraying chemical insecticide. Application of MaviMNPV in combination with J. curcas and A. indica oil has proven to induce consistent MaviMNPV infection in M. vitrata populations. The combined application of MaviMNPV and botanical oils is discussed in the context of integrated pest management.
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
Nemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid of the legume pod bo... more Nemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid of the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a key pest of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabaceae) in Africa. A colony of N. maculosa, introduced for experimental purposes from Taiwan to the laboratories of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Benin, was used for our studies. Olfactory reponses of N. maculosa to leaves of infested or uninfested cowpea and yellow peabush, Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Pers. (Fabaceae), and to M. vitrata larvae were evaluated in a four-arm olfactometer. For all combinations of odor sources, responses between na€ ıve and oviposition-experienced female flies did not differ. Nemorilla maculosa females were attracted by odors from uninfested leaves of yellow peabush and flowers of cowpea when compared with clean air, and they were attracted to plants damaged by M. vitrata with larvae removed. However, the female fly did not discriminate between odors from infested and uninfested plants. The parasitic fly N. maculosa proved well able to use volatile compounds from various host plants (peabush and cowpea) to locate its host, with a more pronounced attraction by the combination of host larvae and infested host plant parts. These findings are discussed in light of the prospective use of N. maculosa as a biological control agent against the legume pod borer.
Annales des Sciences Agronomiques, 2009
Current strategies to control insect pest problems in cowpea include, on the preventive side, hos... more Current strategies to control insect pest problems in cowpea include, on the preventive side, host plant resistance and conservation biological control. Because very often these management options alone cannot provide adequate control, curative measures need to be taken, which include augmentative and inundative biological control, the application of biopesticides, and the judicious use of synthetic pesticides. Using synthetic pesticides as the first line of defense against insect pests is not considered a sustainable component of a long-term management strategy for various reasons, but mainly because of human and environmental health considerations. Hence, the development of biological-control-based interventions becomes an attractive and essential activity in cowpea pest management.
Journal of Insect Science, 2014
Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin... more Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin. However, its production is threatened by several biotic factors, especially insects. In Benin, very few studies have focused on insects and just listed species commonly found on cashew worldwide. The present investigation fills this gap by presenting an exhaustive inventory of insect species associated with this crop in the country. The survey was carried out from September 2009 to August 2010 in 22 cashew orchards (5 young and 17 mature) distributed over three major agroecological zones where cashew is most produced in the country. Insects were collected using chemical knock-down technique and visual observation followed by capture with sweep net. In addition, infested plant organs were sampled and incubated to collect emerging insects. In total, 262 insect species were recorded and identified. Among them, the wood borer Apate terebrans Pallas, the leafminer Eteoryctis gemoniella Stainton, and the mirid bugs Helopeltis schoutedeni Reuter., and Helopeltis anacardii Miller., appeared as the most important insect species attacking cashew in Benin. Beneficial insects encountered included some predators, parasitoids, and pollinators. Few vertebrate predators were also recorded on the trees. Differences in agroecological conditions or in field cleanliness did not affect the number of insect species encountered in the cashew orchards. The results of this study represent an important baseline data for the design and implementation of strategies for cashew protection in Benin.
EarthArXiv (California Digital Library), Feb 8, 2024
Frontiers in agronomy, Aug 20, 2023
Climate
All stakeholders, especially households that depend on agriculture, must come up with every avenu... more All stakeholders, especially households that depend on agriculture, must come up with every avenue available to improve farm productivity in order to raise yields due to the constraints posed by climate change on food production systems. Sufficient increments in yields will address the challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households, especially smallholder ones. Yield increases can be achieved sustainably through the deployment of various Climate Smart Integrated Pest Management (CS-IPM) practices, including good agronomic practices. Therefore, CS-IPM practices could be essential in ensuring better household welfare, including food security and nutrition. With such impact empirically documented, appropriate policy guidance can be realized in favor of CS-IPM practices at scale, thus helping to achieve sustainable food security and food systems. However, to this end, there is yet limited evidence on the real impact of CS-IPM practices on the various core soc...
Le sorgho Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench est la deuxieme cereale la plus cultivee apres le mais au T... more Le sorgho Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench est la deuxieme cereale la plus cultivee apres le mais au Togo. Sa production subit des pertes de rendements de plus en plus importantes, du fait des attaques d'insectes ravageurs, principalement la cicadelle ecumeuse, Poophilus costalis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) et la cecidomyie, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett) (Cecidomyidae: Diptera). Cette etude a ete realisee en station et au champ pour evaluer l'efficacite du biopesticide Huile de Neem et des insecticides de synthese Cypermethrine et Chlopyrifos ethyle contre P. costalis et S. sorghicola. Trois doses d'Huile de Neem (964, 2892 et 5784 ml.ha-1), de cypermethrine (Cypercal 50 EC : 128, 384 et 768 ml.ha-1) et de chlorpyrifos ethyle (Dursban 480 EC: 38, 114 et 228 ml.ha-1) ont ete appliquees hebdomadairement dans des parcelles de sorgho contre ces deux ravageurs. Des parcelles non traitees ont represente le temoin. Un dispositif en blocs aleatoires complets avec 4 re...
African Entomology, 2017
Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. is an important export crop in Benin, but incurs serious damage... more Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. is an important export crop in Benin, but incurs serious damage from the cashew wood borer Apate terebrans Pallas. In spite of its economic importance, the population dynamics of this beetle have never been studied, thus precluding any science-based development and implementation of control strategies. The spatial and temporal abundance pattern of A. terebrans was therefore monitored in 17 mature cashew orchards distributed across three agro-ecological zones in Benin. In each orchard, 30 cashew trees were chosen at random and inspected monthly for two consecutive years. As this insect feeds inside branches and trunks by boring holes, direct observations of adults inside the tree are not possible. Therefore infestations of trees were estimated by the occurrence and number of fresh entry holes. Over the two-year observation period, infestations in the cashew trees by A. terebrans started in September, peaked in January-February and sharply declined thereafter, reaching zero by July-August. Whereas the infestation rates were statistically similar between sampling years or among agro-ecological zones, they differed significantly among sampling months. Aggregation indices calculated using Taylor's power law indicated that A. terebrans has an aggregated spatial distribution. Values of the Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE) index indicated that the spatial pattern of the infestation in a given year does not depend on the pattern observed in the previous years, suggesting that A. terebrans generally prefers to infest new trees. Implications of our findings for the development, implementation and monitoring of effective control strategies against A. terebrans are discussed.
Agronomy
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that identifies actions needed to transform and re... more Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that identifies actions needed to transform and reorganize agricultural systems to effectively support agricultural development and ensure food security in the face of climate change. In this study, we assessed farmers’ perception of climate change, available CSA practices (CSAP) and the determinants of CSAP adoption in northern Benin. A list of CSAP was generated from a workshop with different stakeholders. Face-to-face interviews were then carried out with 368 farmers selected based on stratified random sampling in the study area. Binomial generalized mixed-effect models were run to analyze the relation between socio-demographic characteristics and the use of CSAP. CSAP were evaluated using a three-point Likert scale and the frequency of agreement with the statement that the selected practices meet the pillars of CSA. More than 60% of farmers had heard about climate change, and more than 80% had observed changes in temperature, rainfa...
Journal of Insect Science, 2014
Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin... more Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin. However, its production is threatened by several biotic factors, especially insects. In Benin, very few studies have focused on insects and just listed species commonly found on cashew worldwide. The present investigation fills this gap by presenting an exhaustive inventory of insect species associated with this crop in the country. The survey was carried out from September 2009 to August 2010 in 22 cashew orchards (5 young and 17 mature) distributed over three major agroecological zones where cashew is most produced in the country. Insects were collected using chemical knock-down technique and visual observation followed by capture with sweep net. In addition, infested plant organs were sampled and incubated to collect emerging insects. In total, 262 insect species were recorded and identified. Among them, the wood borer Apate terebrans Pallas, the leafminer Eteoryctis gemoniella Stainton, and the mirid bugs Helopeltis schoutedeni Reuter., and Helopeltis anacardii Miller., appeared as the most important insect species attacking cashew in Benin. Beneficial insects encountered included some predators, parasitoids, and pollinators. Few vertebrate predators were also recorded on the trees. Differences in agroecological conditions or in field cleanliness did not affect the number of insect species encountered in the cashew orchards. The results of this study represent an important baseline data for the design and implementation of strategies for cashew protection in Benin.
Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2021
This research was conducted in the framework of the feasibility study related to FOCUSED-Benin pr... more This research was conducted in the framework of the feasibility study related to FOCUSED-Benin project, the 5th work package of the YES-PV NIG BEN project financed by the German Government through its Ministry of Research and High Education (BMBF). The FOCUSED Benin project’s major objective is to protect the environment through the utilization of solar energy for drying agricultural products and table salt harvesting. Salt is important in human daily life. It is used for conservation of food, softening water, industrial processes, road de-icing, food seasoning, etc. Seawater evaporation, salt mining, and salt brine are the major sources of salt production worldwide. However, in West Africa, particularly in Benin Republic, table salt is produced using methods that negatively impact the ecology of the mangrove. This study aimed at investigating the current status of salt production in Benin Republic, its impact on the mangrove and its related health issues. Field visits, meeting with...
La cicadelle ecumeuse Poophilus costalis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) est un ravageur emergen... more La cicadelle ecumeuse Poophilus costalis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) est un ravageur emergent causant d’importants degâts aux cultures de mais au Togo. Afin de mener une lutte efficace et durable contre ce ravageur, des prospections ont ete realisees en saison seche et en saison humide dans 50 localites du Togo situees dans differentes zones agro ecologiques. Ces prospections ont permis d’evaluer la dynamique de la population du ravageur et d’inventorier ses ennemis naturels endogenes et d’autres plantes hotes alternatives. Les resultats ont montre que P. costalis attaque le mais dans les quatre zones agro ecologiques du Togo. La densite de sa population dans les champs a varie suivant les zones et les mois. Elle a ete plus elevee dans les zones du littoral, de la savane humide et de la savane seche que dans la zone forestiere. La periode de proliferation intense de sa population se situe en juillet, aout et septembre, respectivement pour les zones du littoral, de la savane hum...
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
Trichogrammatoidea eldanae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is an egg parasitoid of seve... more Trichogrammatoidea eldanae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is an egg parasitoid of several lepidopteran insect pests in West Africa. In this study, we assessed the suitability of three different host species viz; Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as potential host for mass-rearing T. eldanae . This was done by determining the biological parameters of the parasitoid on the different host species. The effect of rearing host species on the performance of T. eldanae was also investigated. The parasitoid successfully developed on all tested host species. However, the biological parameters including fecundity, number of adults emerged per parasitised egg, progeny and developmental period varied significantly with host species. The number of parasitised eggs and the progeny per female were highest on Corcyra cephalonica (80 ± 10.72 and 103.66 ± 13.44, respectively) and there was no significant difference between E. saccharina (35.44 ± 7.11 and 38.44 ± 9.01, respectively) and S. calamistis (32.33 ± 5.94 and 57.33 ± 10.02, respectively). The shortest developmental period (9.17 ± 0.026) was recorded on C. cephalonica and the longest on E. saccharina (9.20 ± 0.051). The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.37 ± 0.02) was recorded on C. cephalonica and the lowest (0.32 ± 0.01) was recorded on E. saccharina . Moreover, the host species used to rear T. eldanae did not affect its reproductive potential. It resulted from this study that C. cephalonica was the most suitable host and can be used to mass-rear T. eldanae for augmentative purpose to control cereal stemborers.
Journal of Applied Biosciences
Efficacité du ramassage et du brûlage systématiques des bois morts dans la lutte contre le foreur... more Efficacité du ramassage et du brûlage systématiques des bois morts dans la lutte contre le foreur de bois, Apate terebrans, dans les anacarderaies du Nord-Bénin
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
In this study, we investigate the spatio-temporal fluctuations of the cashew leafminer Eteoryctis... more In this study, we investigate the spatio-temporal fluctuations of the cashew leafminer Eteoryctis gemoniella Stainton, which was recently reported as one of the most devastating cashew pests in Benin. Eteoryctis gemoniella causes serious damage, especially to the young tender leaves, thus reducing the photosynthetic capacity of trees and hence their productivity. This study was carried out in three different cashew orchards in Northern Benin, West Africa, where we monitored the fluctuations of the infestation rates and population changes of E. gemoniella during a one-year cycle, from September 2010 to August 2011. In addition, we collected cashew leaves with mines to check for emergence of hymenopteran parasitoids. Our results show that infestation rates (as well as population densities of E. gemoniella) varied through time and among orchards. The most infested orchard was at Korou, whereas, the least infested was at Okoutaossé. In general, infestation rates and number of mines per ...
Environmental entomology, Jan 5, 2018
The tachinid Nemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) was introduced from Taiwan to Benin ... more The tachinid Nemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) was introduced from Taiwan to Benin for evaluating its potential as a biocontrol candidate against the cowpea pest Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). To optimize its rearing, we assessed the influence of M. vitrata larval age and rearing substrate-cowpea germinating grains and peabush leaves-on its life table parameters, while its host specificity was investigated with regard to nontarget effects. Parasitism rates were higher when older larvae (10- and 14-d old) were offered to females of N. maculosa compared to the younger (2-, 4-, and 6-d old) host larvae. Regardless of the rearing substrate, development time was longer for females than males, and females lived longer than males irrespective of the age of the host. Sex ratio did not vary significantly with host ages or rearing substrate. The average number of eggs laid by a female reared from M. vitrata larvae feeding on cowpea germinating grains or pea...
Crop Protection, 2015
ABSTRACT The insecticidal activity of Maruca vitrata (F.) multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV) c... more ABSTRACT The insecticidal activity of Maruca vitrata (F.) multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV) combined with oil from neem, Azadirachta indica Juss and Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) was studied under laboratory and field conditions against three key insect pests of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Secondinstar Aphis craccivora Koch and Megalurothirps sjostedti Trybom nymphs, and third-instar M. vitrata larvae, all from laboratory colonies, were treated with various concentrations of one of the control agents separately or combined. Daily mortality was recorded for five days (A. craccivora and M. sjostedti nymphs) or fourteen days (M. vitrata) and the larval and pupal development as well as adult emergence were assessed. Combination of MaviMNPV resulted in a significantly higher larval mortality in M. vitrata than treatment with either virus or botanical insecticide alone at the corresponding concentrations. Larvae of M. vitrata infected with MaviMNPV and treated with botanical oils died sooner than those infected with only one control agent. Combinations of MaviMNPV and botanical oils produced additive or synergistic effects. No evidence of antagonistic effects was noted. In field experiments, the application of botanical insecticide and MaviMNPV either alone or in combination was effective in reducing insect abundance over the four weeks, and preventing yield loss. In the first field season, where the M. vitrata population was higher, the combination of the virus and either of the botanical pesticides induced significantly higher yields than spraying chemical insecticide. Application of MaviMNPV in combination with J. curcas and A. indica oil has proven to induce consistent MaviMNPV infection in M. vitrata populations. The combined application of MaviMNPV and botanical oils is discussed in the context of integrated pest management.
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
Nemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid of the legume pod bo... more Nemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid of the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a key pest of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabaceae) in Africa. A colony of N. maculosa, introduced for experimental purposes from Taiwan to the laboratories of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Benin, was used for our studies. Olfactory reponses of N. maculosa to leaves of infested or uninfested cowpea and yellow peabush, Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Pers. (Fabaceae), and to M. vitrata larvae were evaluated in a four-arm olfactometer. For all combinations of odor sources, responses between na€ ıve and oviposition-experienced female flies did not differ. Nemorilla maculosa females were attracted by odors from uninfested leaves of yellow peabush and flowers of cowpea when compared with clean air, and they were attracted to plants damaged by M. vitrata with larvae removed. However, the female fly did not discriminate between odors from infested and uninfested plants. The parasitic fly N. maculosa proved well able to use volatile compounds from various host plants (peabush and cowpea) to locate its host, with a more pronounced attraction by the combination of host larvae and infested host plant parts. These findings are discussed in light of the prospective use of N. maculosa as a biological control agent against the legume pod borer.
Annales des Sciences Agronomiques, 2009
Current strategies to control insect pest problems in cowpea include, on the preventive side, hos... more Current strategies to control insect pest problems in cowpea include, on the preventive side, host plant resistance and conservation biological control. Because very often these management options alone cannot provide adequate control, curative measures need to be taken, which include augmentative and inundative biological control, the application of biopesticides, and the judicious use of synthetic pesticides. Using synthetic pesticides as the first line of defense against insect pests is not considered a sustainable component of a long-term management strategy for various reasons, but mainly because of human and environmental health considerations. Hence, the development of biological-control-based interventions becomes an attractive and essential activity in cowpea pest management.
Journal of Insect Science, 2014
Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin... more Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin. However, its production is threatened by several biotic factors, especially insects. In Benin, very few studies have focused on insects and just listed species commonly found on cashew worldwide. The present investigation fills this gap by presenting an exhaustive inventory of insect species associated with this crop in the country. The survey was carried out from September 2009 to August 2010 in 22 cashew orchards (5 young and 17 mature) distributed over three major agroecological zones where cashew is most produced in the country. Insects were collected using chemical knock-down technique and visual observation followed by capture with sweep net. In addition, infested plant organs were sampled and incubated to collect emerging insects. In total, 262 insect species were recorded and identified. Among them, the wood borer Apate terebrans Pallas, the leafminer Eteoryctis gemoniella Stainton, and the mirid bugs Helopeltis schoutedeni Reuter., and Helopeltis anacardii Miller., appeared as the most important insect species attacking cashew in Benin. Beneficial insects encountered included some predators, parasitoids, and pollinators. Few vertebrate predators were also recorded on the trees. Differences in agroecological conditions or in field cleanliness did not affect the number of insect species encountered in the cashew orchards. The results of this study represent an important baseline data for the design and implementation of strategies for cashew protection in Benin.