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Parasitism of Descampsina sesamiae (Mensil) on Sesamia species in sugar-cane in southern Ghana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

M. A. Sampson  and
R. Kumar
M. A. Sampson
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
R. Kumar*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*
* Address all correspondence to Professor R. Kumar.
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Abstract

Observation on natural enemies of the stem-borer complex on sugar-cane in southern Ghana indicated that Descampsina sesamiae Mensil (Diptera:Tachinidae) is the most important larval parasite of Sesamia species. The relative abundance of this tachinid parasite appeared to vary with the rainfall pattern throughout the year and with the phenology of the sugar-cane plant. The rate of parasitism was found to be higher in the outgrowers fields than in the sugar estate's fields. Differences in cultural practices used as well as the type of vegetation bordering the sugar-cane fields, were believed to be responsible for the difference in the rate of parasitism of D. sesamiae on Sesamia species.

Résumé

Une observation des ennemis naturels du complexe de fouisseurs à tige de la canne a sucre, au sud du Ghana, a indique que Descampsina sesamiae Mensil (Diptera: Tachinidae), est la plus importante larve parasitaire des especes de Sesamiae. L'abondance relative de ce parasite varie avec le modèle pluviométrique, pendant toute l'année, et avec l'adaptabilité de la canne à sucre aux conditions climatiques. On a trouvé que le degré de parasitisme était plus élevé dans des pousses sauvages que dans des plantations sucrières. On croit que les différences existant dans des pratiques culturelles en cours, aninsi que le type de végétation bordant le champ de canne à sucre seroient responsables de la difference du degré de parasitisme de Descampsina sesamiae, sur des espèces de Sesamiae.

Keywords

ParasiteabundanceSesamiacultural practicetachinidaesugar-caneGhanaLe parasitel'abondanceles Sesamiaela pratique culturelleles Tachinidaela canne à sucrele Ghana
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , August 1986 , pp. 543 - 546
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1986

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References

REFERENCES

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