Comportement de ponte et stratégie reproductive de Sitophilus zeamais [Coleoptera : Curculionidae]

Des couples vierges de Sitophilus zeamais ont été placés dans des boîtes de Pétri contenant 8, 16 ou 32 grains de maïs. Après 10 jours d’infestation, nous avons dénombré les oeufs pondus, le nombre de grains infestés et la fréquence de distribution des oeufs par grain. Les grains ont ensuite été laissés en incubation pendant 7 semaines avant d’observer l’émergence des adultes et déterminer leur poids moyen et le sexe-ratio. Les résultats de la distribution des oeufs sur les grains de maïs indiquent que la ponte se fait de manière agrégative. Il n’existe pas de différence au niveau du nombre moyen d’oeufs pondus dans chaque traitement (avec une moyenne de 43, 39 et 36 oeufs pour les densités de 32, 16 et 8 grains/Pétri respectivement). Par contre, en ce qui concerne l’émergence des adultes, le plus grand nombre d’individus provient des lots contenant le plus grand nombre de grains. Il existe également des différences significatives au niveau du poids moyen des adultes issus des lots exposés à 32 grains (3,6 mg) qui sont plus lourds que ceux issus des lots contenant 8 grains de maïs (3,4 mg). Par contre, le sexe-ratio des charançons émergés ne diffère pas d’un lot de grains à un autre, et ce, pour les trois traitements. L’importance quantitative des ressources alimentaires sur le comportement de ponte et la biologie des insectes à cycle de développement endogé et la possibilité de l’existence d’une stratégie reproductive sont discutées.Virgin male/female pairs of Sitophilus zeamais were placed in Petri dishes containing 8, 16 or 32 maize grains for 10 days. After this period, the adults were removed and records were made as follow: number of eggs laid, number of grains infested and frequency distribution of egg number per grain. The grains were kept for 7 weeks after which the emerged adults were sieved off and counted. The sex ratio and weight were determined. Results indicated that S. zeamais tends to cluster eggs on the grains. There was no significant difference between the number of eggs recorded in each treatment (with an average of 43, 39 and 36 eggs for the quantities of 32, 16 and 8 grains per dish respectively). However, more adults emerged from the high density treatment. Average weight of adults emerged from batches exposed to 32 grains (3.6 mg) was also significantly higher than that resulting from batches containing 8 grains (3.4 mg). Sex ratios of emerged adults did not differ among treatments. The impact of grain quantity on biology and oviposition, in internally feeding granivore insects and the possibility that there is an adaptive reproductive strategy are discussed

Are bioinsecticides able to effectively substitute chemicals in the control of insect pests of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in Cote d'Ivoire?

Objective: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus, Malavaceae) production faces pest and disease attacks that leads to use of chemical pesticides. This study was performed to compare effectiveness of the bioinsecticide Levo 2.4 SL (Oxymatrin 2% and Prosular 0.4%) to the chemical pesticides Abalone 18 EC (Abamectin 18g/l) and Viper 46 EC (Acetamiprid 16g/l and Indoxacarb 30g/l) against okra insect pests in Cote d'Ivoire. Methodology and Results: So a field experiment was carried out at Bonoua (05°16'17N; 03°35'40 W) in the South East of Cote d’Ivoire, in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications and four treatments; Levo 2.4 SL, Abalone 18 EC, Viper 46 EC and the Control. Insect communities, damages and yield profit rate were assessed and analyzed with Statistica 7.1 at 5%. The inventory of insect allowed the identification of 28 species distributed into 19 families and 10 orders. The main pest insects observed were Hemiptera; Aphis gossypii (41.59%), Bemisia tabaci (39.11%), Jacobiasca sp (1.26%) and Dysdercus wolkerii (1.44%), Coleoptera; Podagrica decolorata (9.03%) and caterpillars of Lepidoptera; Syllepte derogate (1.36%). Then control plots presented no healthy plants (0%), while the bioinsecticide (Levo 2.4 SL), and the chemical insecticides; Abalone 18 EC and Viper 46 EC presented respectively 60%, 77.5% and 90% of healthy plants (index 0). Overall, the effectiveness of the bioinsecticide to control insect pests appeared similar to those of the chemical pesticides. However, Levo 2.4 SL seems to be less effective against Aphis gossypii and Dysdercus wolkerii populations. Highest fruit yield of okra was recorded in treated plot with Viper 46 EC (12.55±0.98 t/ha), followed by Abalone 18 EC (12.2±0.8 t/ha) and Levo 2.4 SL (11.15±1.09 t/ha). Whereas, the lowest yield obtained from control plots was 6.84±0.15 t/ha. The yield profit rates were 62.82; 78.18 and 83.28% respectively for Levo 2.4 SL, Abalone 18 EC and Viper 46 EC when compared to the control. The control of insect pests by the bioinsecticide and the chemical insecticides increased significantly the okra yield. Conclusion and application of Results: Therefore, the bioinsecticide can be eco-friendly alternative to control insect pest of okra in Cote d’Ivoire. Then, the bioinsecticide Levo 2.4 SL can be proposed to limit damages caused by chemicals on the environment and human health.Keywords: Bioinsecticide, Levo 2.4 SL, Abelmoschus esculentus, insect pests, Cote d’Ivoire

Use of Selected Chemical and Biological Insecticides to Control Lepidopteran Pests of Maize Fields in Central Côte d'Ivoire

Control of lepidopteran larvae, the main pests in maize fields, has become necessary since the appearance and spread of Spodoptera frugiperda. The study was carried out at the Institut National Polytechnique Houphouët-Boigny in Yamoussoukro (Central Côte d’Ivoire). The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of three chemical - Viper 46 EC (Acetamiprid 16 g/l and Indoxacarb 30 g/l), K-Optimal 35 EC (Lambdacyhalothrin 15 g/l and Acetamiprid 20 g/l) and Ampligo 150 ZC (Chlorantanlipol 100 g/l and Lambdacyhalothrin 50 g/l) - and one biological insecticide Bio-Elit (Azadirachtin, Salanin, Nimbin and Melandriol) on lepidopteran larvae in maize fields using a randomized complete block design with five treatments and three repetitions. Data on insect identification, plant infestation, damage, and yield were collected. Insects’ identification was based on morphology using identification keys. Plant damage was assessed by visually estimating the plant health status (unattacked and attacked plants). Grain dry weight was used to estimate field yield. The encountered maize field insects belonged to 10 orders: Heteroptera, Hymenoptera, Homoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Dictyoptera, Odonata, Orthoptera, Dermaptera, and Lepidoptera. Five lepidopteran pest larvae have been recorded. Three of them were classified as minor pests (Eldana saccharina, Ostrinia nubilalis, and Helicoverpa zea), one as important (Sesamia calamistis), and one as a major pest (Spodoptera frugiperda). On untreated plots, more than 76% of plants were moderately to heavily attacked. However, on treated plots, plants showed isolated to moderate attacks. Insecticide sprayings controlled pest populations, reduced damage, and increased yield. The yields obtained on untreated plots (2.26±0.21 t/ha) were lower than those on treated plots (3.29±0.11 to 3.60±0.09 t/ha). The yield increase rate ranged from 45.74 to 59.63%. The best control was recorded with Ampligo (59.63%) and Bio-Elit (50.83%) compared to Viper (49.41%) and K-Optimal (45.74%). Therefore, the alternating use of synthetic or biological insecticides, which are not very toxic for humans and the environment but are effective on insect pests, increases the effectiveness of the control and provides a positive response to the problem of pest resistance while protecting the environment

Damage Caused by Lepidopteran Pests on Maize Fields in Yamoussoukro, Central Côte d’Ivoire

Various larvae of Lepidoptera cause severe damage to maize crops. The dynamics of these maize larvae pests have been studied during all stages of plant development. The trial was carried out on the Institut National Polytechnique Houphouët-Boigny farm plots in Yamoussoukro (central Cote d’Ivoire). The study aims were to monitor the dynamics, determine the importance (frequency and abundance), and assess the damage of Lepidopteran pests on the maize variety EV8728 SR using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The variety was sown on 05 September 2020. Insects were characterized with keys following on-site observation and capture of larvae on the plants. Five Lepidopteran species, grouped into three families, were counted on the plots. Spodoptera frugiperda was the most frequent (Occurrence C = 20.9%) and highly abundant (Relative Abundance Ar = 65.79%). The other Lepidoptera species were rare (C < 5%). However, Sesamia calamistis was very abundant (Ar=15.22%), while Eldana saccharina (Ar = 9.44%) and Ostrinia nubilalis (Ar = 5.25%) were abundant. Helicoverpa zea is scarcely abundant (Ar=4.3%). Furthermore, three Lepidoptera species (E. saccharina, O. nubilalis, and H. zea) were as minor pests (Damage Index I < 10%), while S. calamistis was important pest (I < 25%) and S. frugiperda was major pest (I< 75%). The populations of the insects fluctuated during crop development. The mean dried grain yield varied from 2.4±0.42 to 2.61±0.71 t/ha. Populations of S. frugiperda larvae and their damage appeared more important than those of other Lepidoptera. Knowledge of maize lepidopteran larvae is essential for effectively and efficiently controlling these pests and improving the quality and quantity of maize production