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Population dynamics of the stem-borer complex on sugar-cane in Southern Ghana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

M. A. Sampson  and
R. Kumar
M. A. Sampson
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
R. Kumar
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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Abstract

Population dynamics of the larvae of Eldana saccharina Walker, Chilo zacconius Bleszynski and Sesamia spp. on sugar-cane was studied over a period of 3 years, by regular sampling. Analysis of results indicated that during the first rainy season (March–June) the borer populations were low. However, the larval population increased considerably during the dry season and declined gradually during the second rainy season (September–November). Rainfall in Southern Ghana is typically bimo-dal, but it is occasionally evenly distributed throughout the year. When rainfall was evenly distributed. borer populations remained consistently low throughout the year. Flooding reduced the population of E. saccharina larvae in the field. Though the stem-borers showed preference for relatively younger canes, the type of borers present and their proportions varied with the sugar-cane phenology.

Keywords

Sugar-canepestborerlarvaepopulationsfluctuationfloodingphenologyGhana
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 4 , Special Issue 1-2: Crop-Borers and Emerging Strategies for their Control , June 1983 , pp. 25 - 32
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1983

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References

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