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Full Length Research Paper
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Entomofauna of
Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin, its impact on plant yield
and some aspects of the biology of Dacus bivitattus
(Diptera:
Tephritidae)
André Fomekong1*, Jean Messi1,
Sévilor Kekeunou1, Fernand-Nestor
Tchuenguem-Fohouo2, Joseph Lebel Tamesse3
1Department
of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science,
University of Yaounde I,
2Department
of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of
Ngaoundere, Cameroon.
3Department
of Biological Sciences, National Higher Teacher’s Training
School, University of Yaounde I.
*Corresponding author: E-mail:
afomekong3000@yahoo.fr
Accepted
7 May, 2008 |
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Abstract |
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Cucumeropsis
mannii Naudin, (Cucurbitaceae) is cultivated in
Africa for its important seeds used as food and in the
traditional medicine. This work carried out in Yaoundé
(Cameroon) focuses on the study of the entomofauna of C.
mannii, on the impact of insects on plant yield; we
studied also some aspects of the biology of Dacus
bivitattus, main pest of this plant. Insect captured,
breeding and identification were conducted from March to
August 2001. The results permitted us to note that on C.
mannii the entomofauna included 36 families. Within
this fauna, there were various pests, predators, pollinators
and nectarivorous. Among the 36 families recorded, 30 were
collected on the leaves, 6 on the stems, 6 on the flowers
and 2 on the fruits. The total number of fruits and their
diameter were higher in unprotected plots than in protected
one. The fruit of C. mannii was a feeding and
egg laying site for D. bivitattus. The total
number of laying spots on a single fruit can reach the
number of 20. Larval development took place inside the
fruit; before pupation period, the last larval stage changed
its coloration to milky white aspect and measured 9 to 10.5
mm in length. These larvae at this stage were mobile. The
average time for pupation was 8.3 days. The youngest fruits
were more attacked by flies than the older ones. These
results constitute an important asset in the research of the
protective strategy against natural pest of C.
mannii.
Key
words:
Entomofauna, pests, D. bivitattus, yield, C.
mannii, pollination. |
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