Insect fauna associated with Anacardium occidentale (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) in Benin, West Africa

First published online: 1 January 2014Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an important cash crop in Benin. However, its production is threatened by several biotic factors, especially insects. In Benin, very few studies have focused on insects and just listed species commonly found on cashew worldwide. The present investigation fills this gap by presenting an exhaustive inventory of insect species associated with this crop in the country. The survey was carried out from September 2009 to August 2010 in 22 cashew orchards (5 young and 17 mature) distributed over three major agroecological zones where cashew is most produced in the country. Insects were collected using chemical knock-down technique and visual observation followed by capture with sweep net. In addition, infested plant organs were sampled and incubated to collect emerging insects. In total, 262 insect species were recorded and identified. Among them, the wood borer Apate terebrans Pallas, the leafminer Eteoryctis gemoniella Stainton, and the mirid bugs Helopeltis schoutedeni Reuter., and Helopeltis anacardii Miller., appeared as the most important insect species attacking cashew in Benin. Beneficial insects encountered included some predators, parasitoids, and pollinators. Few vertebrate predators were also recorded on the trees. Differences in agroecological conditions or in field cleanliness did not affect the number of insect species encountered in the cashew orchards. The results of this study represent an important baseline data for the design and implementation of strategies for cashew protection in Benin

Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota)

Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1--20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced

Successes and challenges in tackling constraints in soybean processing through multi-stakeholder innovation platforms in Agricultural Research for Development: an evidence from the Consortium Soja du Bénin

This paper examines the role of the Consortium Soja du Bénin (CSB) in addressing constraints related to soybean value chains in Benin. The methodology applied consisted of desk research, observation, focus group discussions with two soy women cooperatives, field visits, interview with the consortium members and an evaluation workshop with 13 partners involved in the ‘Project Soy Afitin and Milk’-ProSAM (with financial support from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development through the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)/Platform for African-European Partnerships for Agricultural Research for Development (PAEPARD)”. The CSB is a dynamic multi-stakeholder innovation platform initiated in 2011 to improve soybean value chains in Benin. This paper focused on ProSAM implementation, one of the CSB projects, which aims to increase household income through improved food chain of soybean derived products (milk and afitin). The improved soy milk shelf life from one day to six months and the formulation of a soybean-based taste enhancer, ‘Dadonu’, are two results from the collaboration among CSB partners. The commitment of each partner to participate in the innovation and knowledge co-creation process, the good co-ordination mechanism, the internal facilitation, the effective internal and external communication contributed to these achievements and to the overall successful implementation of the project. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of the consortium, especially in identifying strategic partners to develop projects has yielded significant outputs considering the size of resources mobilized for the implementation of other projects. Other multi-stakeholder platforms can capitalize on these experiences to effectively generate innovations and efficiently tackle constraints in the agricultural sector

Successes and challenges in tackling constraints in soybean processing through multi-stakeholder innovation platforms in Agricultural Research for Development: an evidence from the Consortium Soja du Bénin

This paper examines the role of the Consortium Soja du Bénin (CSB) in addressing constraints related to soybean value chains in Benin. The methodology applied consisted of desk research, observation, focus group discussions with two soy women cooperatives, field visits, interview with the consortium members and an evaluation workshop with 13 partners involved in the ‘Project Soy Afitin and Milk’-ProSAM (with financial support from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development through the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)/Platform for African-European Partnerships for Agricultural Research for Development (PAEPARD)”. The CSB is a dynamic multi-stakeholder innovation platform initiated in 2011 to improve soybean value chains in Benin. This paper focused on ProSAM implementation, one of the CSB projects, which aims to increase household income through improved food chain of soybean derived products (milk and afitin). The improved soy milk shelf life from one day to six months and the formulation of a soybean-based taste enhancer, ‘Dadonu’, are two results from the collaboration among CSB partners. The commitment of each partner to participate in the innovation and knowledge co-creation process, the good co-ordination mechanism, the internal facilitation, the effective internal and external communication contributed to these achievements and to the overall successful implementation of the project. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of the consortium, especially in identifying strategic partners to develop projects has yielded significant outputs considering the size of resources mobilized for the implementation of other projects. Other multi-stakeholder platforms can capitalize on these experiences to effectively generate innovations and efficiently tackle constraints in the agricultural sector

Spatial and temporal infestation rates of Apate terebrans (Coleoptera: bostrichidae) in cashew orchards in Benin, west Africa

Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. is an important export crop in Benin, but incurs serious damage from the cashew wood borer Apate terebrans Pallas. In spite of its economic importance, the population dynamics of this beetle have never been studied, thus precluding any science-based development and implementation of control strategies. The spatial and temporal abundance pattern of A. terebrans was therefore monitored in 17 mature cashew orchards distributed across three agro-ecological zones in Benin. In each orchard, 30 cashew trees were chosen at random and inspected monthly for two consecutive years. As this insect feeds inside branches and trunks by boring holes, direct observations of adults inside the tree are not possible. Therefore infestations of trees were estimated by the occurrence and number of fresh entry holes. Over the two-year observation period, infestations in the cashew trees by A. terebrans started in September, peaked in January–February and sharply declined thereafter, reaching zero by July–August. Whereas the infestation rates were statistically similar between sampling years or among agro-ecological zones, they differed significantly among sampling months. Aggregation indices calculated using Taylor's power law indicated that A. terebrans has an aggregated spatial distribution. Values of the Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE) index indicated that the spatial pattern of the infestation in a given year does not depend on the pattern observed in the previous years, suggesting that A. terebrans generally prefers to infest new trees. Implications of our findings for the development, implementation and monitoring of effective control strategies against A. terebrans are discussed

Population dynamics of the cashew leafminer, Eteoryctis gemoniella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), and inventory of its parasitoids in cashew orchards of Northern Benin, West Africa

Published online: 17 Jan 2018In this study, we investigate the spatio-temporal fluctuations of the cashew leafminer Eteoryctis gemoniella Stainton, which was recently reported as one of the most devastating cashew pests in Benin. Eteoryctis gemoniella causes serious damage, especially to the young tender leaves, thus reducing the photosynthetic capacity of trees and hence their productivity. This study was carried out in three different cashew orchards in Northern Benin, West Africa, where we monitored the fluctuations of the infestation rates and population changes of E. gemoniella during a one-year cycle, from September 2010 to August 2011. In addition, we collected cashew leaves with mines to check for emergence of hymenopteran parasitoids. Our results show that infestation rates (as well as population densities of E. gemoniella) varied through time and among orchards. The most infested orchardwas at Korou, whereas, the least infested was at Okoutaossé. In general, infestation rates and number of mines per leaf passed through two peaks, the first in July–August and the second in November, whereas no infestations were observed from January to June. Spatial distribution pattern of E. gemoniella within the orchards showed that this moth almost has a random distribution. Parasitoids attacking the leafminer were recovered from the samples. These were Apanteles sp., Chelonus (Microchelonus) nr. curvimaculatus Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Trathala sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Further detailed studies on these natural enemies will be needed for evaluating their potential in controlling E. gemoniella in cashew orchards