Full Length Research Paper

Survey of insect species associated with cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn.) and their distribution in Ghana 
 

E. A Dwomoh^1*, J. B Ackonor¹ and J. V. K Afun²

¹Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P. O. Box 8, New Tafo-Akim, Ghana.

²Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E- mail: adwomoh2004@yahoo.com.

 Accepted 29 February, 2008

   Abstract

Knowledge of the insect complex associated with any crop is essential for developing pest control strategies for the crop. Literature on cashew insects is lacking in Ghana. Field surveys were conducted from July 2003 to October 2005, to collect and identify the insect fauna on cashew. The surveys were conducted in 13 major cashew growing areas within ten districts of the Northern, Upper West, Brong-Ahafo and Eastern Regions of Ghana. Pyrethroids knock down and visual examination methods were used. A total of 170 insect species were collected. Eighty nine species of the total collection were identified to family level, 57 of which were identified to at least the generic level. 

Key words: Survey, insect species, distribution, cashew, Ghana.