The Impact of Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), on the Growth Rate of Chromolaena odorata (L.) in Southern Ghana

The abundance and effectiveness of Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in controlling the Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson in southern Ghana was assessed in C. odorata infested fields through monthly sampling and monitoring surveys carried out between October 2007 and March 2008. Insect data was collected using line transects of 100 metres long and 100 metres apart and the removal, sweep net and direct count methods were used and data on the impact of feeding damage on the weed was collected by measuring several plant characteristics. The populations of P. pseudoinsulata were generally low in all sites investigated, throughout the study period. However, higher numbers of the bio-agent were recorded at site #1 (Akotokyire, Central Region) compared to the other sites and this was significantly (P<0.05) different. Populations of P. pseudoinsulata reached their highest densities between October and December. The damage caused to C. odorata in the field by P. pseudoinsulata was too minimal and insignificant to impact negatively on the weed, thus the damage levels recorded are insufficient to meaningfully affect the growth rate of C. odorata. @ JASE

The Impact of Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), on the Growth Rate of Chromolaena odorata (L.) in Southern Ghana

The abundance and effectiveness of Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in controlling the Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson in southern Ghana was assessed in C. odorata infested fields through monthly sampling and monitoring surveys carried out between October 2007 and March 2008. Insect data was collected using line transects of 100 metres long and 100 metres apart and the removal, sweep net and direct count methods were used and data on the impact of feeding damage on the weed was collected by measuring several plant characteristics. The populations of P. pseudoinsulata were generally low in all sites investigated, throughout the study period. However, higher numbers of the bio-agent were recorded at site #1 (Akotokyire, Central Region) compared to the other sites and this was significantly (P<0.05) different. Populations of P. pseudoinsulata reached their highest densities between October and December. The damage caused to C. odorata in the field by P. pseudoinsulata was too minimal and insignificant to impact negatively on the weed, thus the damage levels recorded are insufficient to meaningfully affect the growth rate of C. odorata. @ JASE