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Comparison
of the developmental and survival rates, adult longevity and
oviposition of Helopeltis schoutedeni reuter (Hemiptera:
Miridae) on cashew
E. A Dwomoh1*, J. V. K Afun2 and J.
B Ackonor1
1Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P. O. Box 8,
New Tafo-Akim, Ghana.
2 Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
*Corresponding
author. E-mail:
adwomoh2004@yahoo.com or adwomoh@crig.org.
Accepted 25
March, 2008
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Cashew (Anacardium
occidentale Linn.) has become a very important tree crop
in Ghana. It is, however, attacked by several sap sucking
insects, including the mosquito bug, Helopeltis
schoutedeni Reuter.
Both the nymph and adult of H. schoutedeni feeding on
cashew by sucking the sap from flushing shoots, panicles and
immature fruits. The present study investigated the
comparative effects of these food sources on the
development, survival and oviposition of the species. All
the nymphal stages experienced faster rates of development
and survival when fed on fruits compared with feeding on
flushing shoots or panicles. The adults survived longer and
produced higher numbers of viable eggs when fed on fruits or
flushing shoots than when fed on panicles.
Key words: Comparison, developmental rate, survival
rate, longevity, Helopeltis schoutedeni, cashew. |
