Biology of Blastopsylla occidentalis (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Aphalaridae), a pest of Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) in Yaounde, Cameroon

Eucalyptus spp belong to the family of Myrtaceae and grow all over the world and are adapted to different climates and soils. In Cameroon, these plants are very important for their medicinal and ecological virtues. Eucalyptus globulus has economically and ornamentally values. Blastopsylla occidentalis Taylor (Psylloidea: Aphalaridae) is one of the insects feeding on this plant and its causes severe damages to their host plants. Significant damage occurred in nurseries and in a very young plantations of Eucalyptus spp. The biology of B. occidentalis was studied from July 2010 to June 2011 at Yaounde. The parameters mating process, choice of the egg-laying site by the females, fecundity of the females, longevity of the adults, embryonic and larval development, life cycle and sex ratio were studied. The results showed that males emerged before females, and the mating process lasted about 42 minutes. The longevity of adults was 11 days on average and egg-laying began 8 days after emergence. The average fertility was 38 eggs per female. The eggs were laid on the buds, bracts, young leaves and twigs of its host plant. The life cycle, from egg to egg, required 32 days on average. The sex ratio was close to 1.03. This species fed and developed on Eucalyptus spp. has never been observed on other plants species in the study area, suggesting a specificity of this psyllid to its host plant. These results can be considered as an important step for the establishment of integrated pest control against Eucalyptus psyllid pest species in Cameroon

Population dynamics of Cacopsylla sp. (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Psyllidae), pest insect of Prunus africana (Rosaceae), medicinal plant species in Cameroon

Prunus africana is threatened in Cameroon by xylophagous and sap-sucking pest as Cacopsylla sp. This last causes deformations of the young leaves and buds and the plant end up losing all its leaves. Effective control of phytophagous pests requires a thorough understanding of their seasonal population dynamics. The objective of this work carried out on 150 young plants of P. africana in the nursery in Dschang, was to study the population dynamics of Cacopsylla sp. and the impact of climatic factors on the population. From January 2006 to December 2007, monthly collections of larvae, males and females of Cacopsylla sp. were carried out. The results showed, in 2006, three peaks (March, August and December) and two peaks in 2007 (March and August) with larvae. The fluctuation of males' population showed five peaks with two peaks in 2006 (March and December) and three peaks in 2007 (March, June and December) while in females' population, four peaks with two peaks in 2006 (March and December) and two peaks in 2007 (March and November). The annual numerical variation of Cacopsylla sp. individual is statistically correlated with variation of precipitations and the insolation. The precipitations have a negative effect on the numerical variation of males (r=-0.430, p<0.0360) and females (r=-0,434, p<0.0336) of Cacopsylla sp. The insolation has a positive effect on the numerical variation of males (r=0.732, p<0.0000002), females (r=0.653, p<0.000523) and the total individuals (r=0.601, p<0.00197) of Cacopsylla sp. With the larvae, the correlation was negative and non-significant. This work showed that March and December were better indicated to engage the fight against Cacopsylla sp. in Dschang

Diversité des Insectes sur les Panicules de Zea mays (Poaceae) et Leur Impact sur le Rendement Grainier à Maroua (Extrême - Nord, Cameroun)

At Maroua (Cameroon), 80 panicles of Zea mays L.(Poaceae) were observed from the 30thAugust to 16th September 2015 and from 5 th to 22th September 2016 to determine the diversity and frequency of insect visits. 10782 visits of 19 insect species grouped in five orders were recorded on the flowers of maize. The Hymenoptera were most dominant particularly Amegilla sp.with 94.52 % of the number of insect visits. The insects explored the panicle of maize during the morning from 6 am to 11 am with the peak activity is observed between 6 am and 7 am during the flowering period of the host plant. These insects developed an elaborated behaviour when they are collected the maize pollen. They have a positive impact on the grain yields of the maize, which can be justified by their complementary action to that of the wind.The action is indirect because the insects do not visit the female inflorescences. This can be explained by the fact that visit of insects on the flowers shooke the anthers, thus inducing the pollen to be released in the air even in the absence of wind.The influence of the insects on the increasingof maize yields is estimated at 43.16 %, 49.17 % and 76.48 % for the number of seeds per spike, mass of seeds per spike and percentage of normal seeds respectively. We recommend that, for a better integrated management of the maize exploitations into Cameroun, to preserve the flower-dwelling insects in the farm by avoiding pesticide treatments during the period of flowering when they are not justified.A Maroua (Cameroun), 80 panicules de Zea mays L. (Poaceae) ont été observées du 30 août au 16 septembre 2015 et du 5 au 22 Septembre 2016 en vue de déterminer la diversité et la fréquence de visites d’insectes. 10782 visites de 19 espèces d’insectes regroupées dans cinq ordres ont été répertoriées sur les panicules de cette Poaceae. Les Hyménoptères ont été les plus prépondérants représentés principalement par Amegilla sp. avec 94,52 % de l’ensemble de visites. Les insectes butinaient les panicules du maïs de 6h à 11h avec le pic de l’activité de l’ensemble de visites des insectes situé entre 6h et 7h et pendant toute la période de forte floraison. Ces divers insectes développent un comportement très élaboré lors de la récolte du pollen de maïs. Ils ont un impact positif sur les rendements en grains du maïs, qui s’explique par une action complémentaire de celle du vent. Le rôle est indirect puisque ces insectes ne visitent pas les stigmates. Il s’explique par le fait que les insectes très abondants sur les panicules secouent les anthères, provequent ainsi la libération du pollen dans l’air même en l’absence de vent. L’influence des insectes sur l’augmentation des rendements est estimée à 43,16 %, 49,17 % et 76,48 % sur le nombre de grains par épi, la masse des grains par épi et le pourcentage de grains normaux respectivement. Nous recommandons que pour une meilleure gestion intégrée des exploitations de maïs au Cameroun, de préserver les insectes floricoles non nuisibles dans les plantations en évitant les traitements aux pesticides pendant la période de floraison lorsqu’ils ne se justifient pas

Ecological Aspects of Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) in a Gabonese Cattle Ranch

To embark on an anti-vectorial fight against mechanical vectors of animal trypanosomosis, investigations were undertaken in order to determine the abundance, species diversity and daily activity of tabanids in a cattle ranch in Gabon. The nzi and vavoua traps were used to catch tabanids in three divisions of this ranch. In this study, 616 tabanids were captured: 349 (56.66%) in Division 1, 226 (36.69%) in Division 2 and 41 (6.66%) in Division 3. In the first Division, T. taeniola was the most abundant species with an Apparent Density (ADT) of 2.2, followed by H. pluvialis (ADT = 1.05). In the second Division, H. pluvialis was most abundant with ADT of 1.6, followed by T. taeniola (ADT = 0.38). In the last Division, the most abundant species was H. pluvialis (ADT = 0.15). Comparing the relative abundance of catches with sites (Divisions), we realized that there was no statistically significant difference in catches with trapping sites. It was noticed that Division 3 recorded the highest diversity index values. We realized that the nzi trap recorded higher tabanid catches than the vavoua trap. The diurnal activity rhythm of the most frequent species encountered slightly differed with prospection sites

Incidence de Trioza erytreae (del Guercio) (Homoptera: Triozidae), Psylle Vecteur du Greening sur la Sensibilité des Plantules d'Agrumes dans une Pépinière au Cameroun

It is known that in citrus orchards, the citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae (Homoptera: Triozidae) preferentially chooses certain varieties for egg laying, feeding and larval development. However, the selection mechanism in citrus nurseries is poorly understood. The aim of the present work was to study in the nursery, the behaviour of T. erytreae with respect to choice of egg laying and feeding sites in three species of citrus, namely Villafranca lemon, Mexican lime and Fremont mandarin. One hundred young plants of each were exposed to the citrus psyllid on the fourth month after germination, and psyllids and pit galls counted every month. The impact of the psyllid's damage on citrus was also assessed. Adults of T. erytreae were highly attracted to the young citrus plants three weeks after the germination of seeds. The average number of adults, eggs and larvae of T. erytreae by plant varied with the particular citrus plant: on young plants, adult, larval and egg populations were highest on lime. Four months later, 100 % of lime, 97% of lemon and 76 % of mandarin plants were attacked by T. erytreae . Those plants attacked shortly after germination were stunted and their leaves greatly deformed. In the absence of pest management in the citrus nursery, citrus psylla can cause the loss of up to 91 % of young plants. RÉSUMÉ En verger, Trioza erytreae (Homoptera: Triozidae) effectue ses pontes et s'alimente préférentiellement sur certaines variétés d'agrumes. De même que dans les vergers, en pépinière, le mécanisme de sélection des plantes hôtes par le psylle est mal connu. L'objectif du travail présenté a été d'étudier, en pépinière, le comportement de T. erytreae vis-à-vis du choix de ses sites de ponte et d'alimentation parmi trois espèces d'agrumes et, l'impact des dégâts causés par le psylle sur la croissance des plantules d'agrumes. Pendant les quatre premiers mois après la germination, les psylles et leurs galles ont été comptés sur 100 plantules de citronnier Villafranca, de limettier Mexicain et de mandarinier Fremont respectivement. Les plantules attaquées sont examinées et comparées à celles protégées. Les adultes de T. erytreae sont attirés par les plantules de citronniers, de limettiers et de mandariniers trois semaines après la germination des graines. Le nombre moyen d'adultes, d'oeufs et de larves a varié; adulte: 0,5 sur mandarinier, 1,5 sur citronnier et 1,7 sur limettier; oeuf: 17,4 sur mandarinier, 20,8 sur citronnier et 34,6 sur limettier; larve: 8,2 sur mandarinier, 9,9 sur citronnier et 15,4 sur limettier. Quatre mois après la germination, 100% de limettiers, 97% de citronniers et 76% de mandariniers hébergent des psylles et leurs galles. Les plantules sont chétives, leurs feuilles sont boursouflées et très déformées. En absence de toute protection phytosanitaire contre les ravages dues aux psylles en pépinière, les pertes s'évaluent à près de 91%; la croissance des plantules est fortement perturbée

Liste annotée des chauves-souris (Mammalia : Chiroptera) du mont Cameroun, sud-ouest du Cameroun

Le mont Cameroun est une zone prioritaire pour la conservation de la biodiversité, compte tenu de sa grande richesse spécifique et de son endémisme pour de nombreux taxons. À ce jour, sa chiroptérofaune est encore mal connue. Le but de cet article est de fournir une liste actualisée de la faune de chiroptères du mont Cameroun sur la base de nos propres données de terrain, des données précédemment publiées et des données de collections muséales. Des précisions sur les publications et les statuts de conservation sont également fournies pour chaque espèce. Au cours de nos études de terrain (2016-2018), 613 individus appartenant à 21 espèces ont été récencés. Parmi elles, trois espèces sont nouvelles pour la région : Mops (Xiphonycteris) nanulus J. A. Allen, 1917, Mops (Xiphonycteris) thersites (Thomas, 1903) et Glauconycteris egeria Thomas, 1913. Ces nouvelles signalisations portent à 38 le nombre d’espèces de chauves-souris connues dans la région du Mont Cameroun, appartenant à sept familles. Il s’agit des Pteropodidae Gray, 1821 (onze espèces), Hipposideridae Gray, 1821 (six espèces), Rhinolophidae Gray, 1825 (trois espèces), Miniopteridae Dobson, 1875 (trois espèces), Vespertilionidae Gray, 1821 (sept espèces), Nycteridae Van der Hoeven, 1855 (cinq espèces) et Molossidae Gervais, 1856 (trois espèces). Nous avons également observé que 23,7 % des chauves-souris de la région sont frugivores (neuf espèces), 71,1 % sont insectivores (27 espèces) et 5,3 % sont nectarivores (deux espèces). De plus, en raison du taux croissant de déforestation dans la région, causé par la culture itinérante sur brûlis et l’expansion des plantations agro-industrielles, la connaissance de la faune chiroptérologique régionale est impérative, car ces informations peuvent servir de base à l’élaboration de futures stratégies de gestion et de conservation.Mount Cameroon is a priority area for global biodiversity conservation, considering its high species richness and endemism across many taxa. As of yet, its Chiroptera fauna is still poorly known. Thus this paper aims to provide an updated checklist of the Chiroptera fauna of Mount Cameroon based on our own field data, previously published data and data from museum collections. Details on published references and conservation statuses are also provided for each species. During our field surveys (2016-2018), 613 individuals and 21 species were recorded. Among them three species are new to the area: Mops (Xiphonycteris) nanulus J. A. Allen, 1917, Mops (Xiphonycteris) thersites (Thomas, 1903) and Glauconycteris egeria Thomas, 1913. These new records bring the number of known bat species in the Mount Cameroon area to 38, belonging to seven families. This includes Pteropodidae Gray, 1821 (eleven species), Hipposideridae Gray, 1821 (six species), Rhinolophidae Gray, 1825 (three species), Miniopteridae Dobson, 1875 (three species), Vespertilionidae Gray, 1821 (seven species), Nycteridae Van der Hoeven, 1855 (five species) and Molossidae Gervais, 1856 (three species). We also observe that 23.7% of bats in the area are frugivorous (nine species), 71.1% are insectivorous (27 species) and 5.3% are nectarivorous (two species). Moreover, because of the increasing rate of deforestation in the area caused by slash-and-burn shifting cultivation and expansion of agro-industrial plantations, knowledge of the regional chiropteran fauna is imperative, especially as this information can provide a base for the development of future management and conservation strategies.</p

Incidence de Trioza erytreae (del Guercio) (Homoptera: Triozidae), Psylle Vecteur du Greening sur la Sensibilité des Plantules d'Agrumes dans une Pépinière au Cameroun

It is known that in citrus orchards, the citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae (Homoptera: Triozidae) preferentially chooses certain varieties for egg laying, feeding and larval development. However, the selection mechanism in citrus nurseries is poorly understood. The aim of the present work was to study in the nursery, the behaviour of T. erytreae with respect to choice of egg laying and feeding sites in three species of citrus, namely Villafranca lemon, Mexican lime and Fremont mandarin. One hundred young plants of each were exposed to the citrus psyllid on the fourth month after germination, and psyllids and pit galls counted every month. The impact of the psyllid's damage on citrus was also assessed. Adults of T. erytreae were highly attracted to the young citrus plants three weeks after the germination of seeds. The average number of adults, eggs and larvae of T. erytreae by plant varied with the particular citrus plant: on young plants, adult, larval and egg populations were highest on lime. Four months later, 100 % of lime, 97% of lemon and 76 % of mandarin plants were attacked by T. erytreae . Those plants attacked shortly after germination were stunted and their leaves greatly deformed. In the absence of pest management in the citrus nursery, citrus psylla can cause the loss of up to 91 % of young plants. RÉSUMÉ En verger, Trioza erytreae (Homoptera: Triozidae) effectue ses pontes et s'alimente préférentiellement sur certaines variétés d'agrumes. De même que dans les vergers, en pépinière, le mécanisme de sélection des plantes hôtes par le psylle est mal connu. L'objectif du travail présenté a été d'étudier, en pépinière, le comportement de T. erytreae vis-à-vis du choix de ses sites de ponte et d'alimentation parmi trois espèces d'agrumes et, l'impact des dégâts causés par le psylle sur la croissance des plantules d'agrumes. Pendant les quatre premiers mois après la germination, les psylles et leurs galles ont été comptés sur 100 plantules de citronnier Villafranca, de limettier Mexicain et de mandarinier Fremont respectivement. Les plantules attaquées sont examinées et comparées à celles protégées. Les adultes de T. erytreae sont attirés par les plantules de citronniers, de limettiers et de mandariniers trois semaines après la germination des graines. Le nombre moyen d'adultes, d'oeufs et de larves a varié; adulte: 0,5 sur mandarinier, 1,5 sur citronnier et 1,7 sur limettier; oeuf: 17,4 sur mandarinier, 20,8 sur citronnier et 34,6 sur limettier; larve: 8,2 sur mandarinier, 9,9 sur citronnier et 15,4 sur limettier. Quatre mois après la germination, 100% de limettiers, 97% de citronniers et 76% de mandariniers hébergent des psylles et leurs galles. Les plantules sont chétives, leurs feuilles sont boursouflées et très déformées. En absence de toute protection phytosanitaire contre les ravages dues aux psylles en pépinière, les pertes s'évaluent à près de 91%; la croissance des plantules est fortement perturbée

Glauconycteris egeria Thomas 1913

&lt;i&gt;Glauconycteris egeria&lt;/i&gt; Thomas, 1913 &lt;p&gt;(Table 3)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Glauconycteris egeria&lt;/i&gt; Thomas, 1913: 144.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;COMMON NAMES. &mdash; English: Bibundi Bufferfly Bat. French: Glauconyct&egrave;re de Bibundi.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;MATERIAL EXAMINED. &mdash; 1 specimen (Table 1).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;ORIGINAL DATA. &mdash; A single female individual was captured in a grassland patch at the submontane forest, at an altitude of 1590 m a.s.l. This represented the first record of this species in the Mount Cameroon area. We did not examine any museum specimen attributed to this species.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;DIAGNOSIS. &mdash; The species is a small microbat with a forearm length of 38.5 mm, and head body length of 43.8 mm (Table 3). The dorsal pelage is dark with conspicuous whitish flank-stripe, ears with pale rim. The external and skull measurements are similar to those given by Happold (2013k) (Table 3, 4).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; HABITATS AND DISTRIBUTION. &mdash; This species had previously been recorded in Cameroon, Central African Republic and western Uganda (Thomas 1913; Hassanin &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2018). According to Happold (2013k), this species is endemic to Africa where it inhabits the rainforest.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Mongombe, Aaron Manga, Fils, Eric Moise Bakwo &amp; Tamesse, Joseph Lebel, 2020, Annotated checklist of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of Mount Cameroon, southwestern Cameroon, pp. 483-514 in Zoosystema 42 (24)&lt;/i&gt; on page 507, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2020v42a24, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4060043"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/4060043&lt;/a&gt

Nycteris intermedia Aellen 1959

&lt;i&gt;Nycteris intermedia&lt;/i&gt; Aellen, 1959 &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Nycteris intermedia&lt;/i&gt; Aellen, 1959: 218.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;COMMON NAME. &mdash; English: Intermediate Slit-faced Bat. French: Nyct&egrave;re d&rsquo;Aellen&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; HABITATS AND DISTRIBUTION. &mdash; We did not encounter this species during our field surveys and did not examine any specimen of this species. &lt;i&gt;Nycteris intermedia&lt;/i&gt; has been widely documented in West and Central Africa (Van Cakenberghe &amp; De Vree 1985). The species mainly inhabits lowland rainforest and coastal forest (Monadjem &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2010; Denys &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2013; Fahr 2013d). The species was listed to occur in Mount Cameroon by Van Cakenberghe &amp; De Vree (1985). It forages by gleaning insects close to the ground in the understory of forest (Fahr 2013d).&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Mongombe, Aaron Manga, Fils, Eric Moise Bakwo &amp; Tamesse, Joseph Lebel, 2020, Annotated checklist of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of Mount Cameroon, southwestern Cameroon, pp. 483-514 in Zoosystema 42 (24)&lt;/i&gt; on page 504, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2020v42a24, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4060043"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/4060043&lt;/a&gt