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HOST PLANT RANGE AND MORPHOMETRICS DESCRIPTIONS OF AN EMERGING INSECT PEST OF CASHEW, Plocaederus ferrugineus L. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) IN NIGERIA: A PRELIMINARY REPORT (Pages : 27 - 32)

E. U. ASOGWA, J. C. ANIKWE, T. C. N. NDUBUAKU, F. A. OKELANA AND L. A. HAMMED

A 2.5 hectare cashew germplasm plot (S/GP) within Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan was assessed between 2006 to 2007 to identify the host plant range and to describe the morphology of the various life stages of an emerging insect pest of cashew, Plocaederus ferrugineus in Nigeria. The cashew trunk and root borer, Plocaederus ferrugineus is fast becoming the most dreaded insect pest of cashew plantations in Nigeria as its infestation results in “sudden death” of mature cashew trees within few weeks. The rate of infestation of the borer on cashew and all tree stands/shrubs within S/GP and adjacent plots were recorded. Measurements of the morphometric characteristics of the various life stages of the borer collected from infested cut down trunks and excavated roots were carried out with a pair of caliper. Fewer stands of cashew were affected by the trunk and root borer resulting in an infestation rate of 36.3%. Only Spondias mombin was found to be riddled with borers out of all the other 24 species of trees and shrubs found within S/GP. 89.6% of the S. mombin assessed came down with different levels of attack by the borer, which differed significantly (P < 0.05) from 36.3% infestation rate on cashew. The larva (grub) has a mean body length of 2.72mm, while an average pupal length of 3.66mm was recorded. The adult P. ferrugineus is a medium sized dark grey beetle, 2.91cm long and 0.92cm wide at the base of the abdomen. They have longer antennae (3.58cm), which is significantly longer (P < 0.05) than their body (2.91cm). Download


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