Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T00:14:57.607Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Field observations on the appearance of acridids and their natural enemies in The Gambia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Sidi Sanyang
Sidi Sanyang
Affiliation:
National Agricultural Research Institute, PMB 526, Serekunda, The Gambia, West Africa, E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

A 1994 field survey of Sahelian grasshoppers and locust populations in natural vegetation, millet and rice fields in The Gambia determined the period between mid-August and early September to be the optimal time for applying oil-formulated conidia of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum to control the acridids. Locust and grasshopper cadavers were also examined for fungus infection. Metarhizium anisopliae was absent from cadavers of natural grasshopper populations, while the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga sp. was recovered on Hieroglyphus daganensis cadavers and the nematode Hexamermis sp. from Kraussaria angulifera, The predatory cattle egret fed on swarming adult desert locusts.

Résumé

Une enquête de terrain a été menée en 1994 en Gambie sur des populations sahéliennes de sauterelles et de criquets, en milieu naturel et dans les champs de mil et de riz. Elle a permis de déterminer que la période optimale pour l'application de la formule huileuse des conidies du champignon entomopathogène Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum, utilisée dans la lutte contre les acridiens, se situait de mi-août à début septembre. L'identité de l'infection fongique a été vérifiée sur des cadavres de criquets et de sauterelles. L'entomopathogène, Metarhizium anisopliae n'a pas été retrouvé sur les cadavres des populations naturelles de sauterelles. Par contre, on a trouvé un autre agent fongique entomopathogène Entomophaga sp. sur les cadavres de Hieroglyphus daganensis et, le nématode Hexamermis sp. sur Kraussaria angulifera. Enfin, nous avons constaté que le héron gardebœuf est responsable d'une prédation importante des criquets grégaires adultes.

Keywords

grasshopperslocustsentomopathogenic fungusMetarhizium anisopliae var acridumEntomophaga sp.predationGambiasauterelleschampignon entomopathogeneMetarhizium anisopliae var acridumEntomophaga sp.prédationGambie
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 21 , Issue 3 , September 2001 , pp. 219 - 223
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2001

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agyen-Sampong, M. (1975) Hieroglyphiis daganensis Krauss (Orthoptera: Acrididae), a new pest of rice in northern Ghana. Ghana J. Agric. Sci. 8, 249–253.Google Scholar
Ashall, C. and Ellis, P. E. (1962) Studies on numbers and mortality in field populations of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskäl). Anti-Locust Bull. No. 38, 59 pp.Google Scholar
Bidochka, M. J. and Khatchatourians, G. G. (1992) Pathogens of grasshoppers and locusts as potential biocontrol agents. Biocontr. Sci. Technol. 1, 243–259.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blanchard, E.E. (1933) Parasitos animales de la langosta. Boli. Min. Agric. Buenos Aires 34, 247–266.Google Scholar
Bruch, C. (1936) Investigaciones sobre la langosta en la region Serrana de Alta Gracia (Provincia de Cordobo). Memorias Comunicaciones centro de Investigaciones Langosta Argentina 1934, 173–196.Google Scholar
Chesler, J. (1938) Observations on the biology of some South African Acrididae (Orthoptera). Trans. Roy. Entomol. Soc. London 87, 313–351.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Greathead, D. J. (1966) A brief survey of the effects of biotic factors on populations of the desert locust, J. Appl. Ecol. 3, 239–250.Google Scholar
Hunter-Jones, P. (1966) Studies on the genus Schistocerca with special reference to development. PhD thesis, University of London.Google Scholar
Jerath, M.L. (1965) Notes on the biology of Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus) from Eastern Nigeria. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 72, 243–251.Google Scholar
Key, K.H.L. (1930) Preliminary ecological notes on the Acrididae of the Cape Peninsula. S. Afr. J. Sci. 27, 406–413.Google Scholar
Köhler, P.E. (1936) Informe de la segunda comision exploradora. Memorias Comunicaciones centro Investigaciones Langosta Argentina 37, 60–95.Google Scholar
Kooyman, C. and Shah, P. (1992) Explorations for locust and grasshopper pathogens, pp. 208–213. In Biological Control of Locusts and Grasshoppers. (Edited by Lomer, C.J. and Prior, C.). Proceedings of a Workshop held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cotonou, Republic of Benin, 29th April-1st May, 1991. CABI, Wallingford.Google Scholar
Niassy, A. (1991) Grasshopper and locust control in Senegal, pp. 90–96. In Biological Control of Locusts and Grasshopers (Edited by Lomer, C.J. and Prior, C.). Proceedings of a Workshop held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cotonou, Republic of Benin, 29 April – 1 May 1991. CABI, Wallingford.Google Scholar
Oyidi, O. (1975) Observations on Kraussaria angulifera (Orthoptera) in Katsina North, northern Nigeria. Samaru Res. Bull. No. 249, 43–47.Google Scholar
Popov, G. B. (1988) Sahelian grasshoppers. Bulletin No 5. Centre for Overseas Pest Research, London (now ODNRI Chatham), 87 pp.Google Scholar
Popov, G. B. (1989) Nymphs of the Sahelian Grasshoppers. An illustration guide. Centre for Overseas Pest Research, London, (now ODNRI Chatham) 158 pp.Google Scholar
Prior, C. and Greathead, D. J. (1989) Biological control of locusts: The potential for the exploitation of pathogens. FAO Plant Prot. Bull. 37, 37–48.Google Scholar
Ritchie, J. M. (1981) A taxonomie revision of the genus Oedaleus Fieber (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Bull. Bri. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) 42, 83–183.Google Scholar
Smith, K. D. and Popov, G. B. (1953) On birds attacking desert locust swarms in Eritrea. Entomologist 86, 3–7.Google Scholar
Streett, D. A. and McGuire, M. R. (1990) Pathogenic diseases of grasshoppers, pp. 483–516. In Biology of Grasshoppers (Edited by Chapman, R. F. and Joern, A.). Wiley Interscience, New York.Google Scholar
Toye, S.A. (1971) Notes on the biology of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) (Orthoptera, Acridoidea) in the Western State of Nigeria. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 84, 384–392.Google Scholar