In order to investigate the biodiversity of psyllids in Cameroon, we collected a psyllid on Eucalyptus spp. (Myrtaceae) for the first time. Morphometric and morphological studies of this psyllid enable us to identify it as Blastopsylla occidentalis Taylor (Hemiptera: Psylloidea). Blastopsylla occidentalis lives on four Eucalyptus species (Eucalyptus globulus, E. saligna, E. deglupta, E. camaldulensis) in the Western and Central regions of the country. A description and illustration of the different developmental stages of B. occidentalis will allow the identification of this pest of Eucalyptus.
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.
In sub-Saharan Africa, million people depend on maize for food. But the losses caused by Spodoptera frugiperda on maize amount to millions of dollars, and the chemical control costly and not eco-friendly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of Lantana camara and neem oil (Azadirachta indica) in reducing crop damage in maize cultivation in Bankim. This was carried in a field experiment using a randomized complete blocks design with the following treatments; 0.5L.ha-1 and 1L.ha-1 of neem and 10% and 20% ethanolic extracts of L. camara replicated three times. Results show that neem oil treatments significantly reduced (p< 0.05) crop damage by S. frugiperda on the leaves of maize from 49th to 63rd day after sowing (DAS) compared to the control treatment. Neem oil at 1L.ha-1 had a significant effect on the incidence of S. frugiperda at the 35th and 49th DAS relative to the control treatment. Consequently, neem oil treatment produced yield (4137.33 kg.ha-1) higher than the control treatment (2812.66 kg.ha-1). Neem at 0.5L.ha-1 and 1L.ha-1 showed significant differences in the number of damaged ears compared to control. Ethanolic extracts of L. camara significantly (p < 0.05) reduced crop damage relative to the control, from the 49th to the 63rd DAS. On the incidence of damage and the percentage of damaged cobs, L. camara at 20% showed a significant difference on the 35th and 49th DAS. Consequently, the number of insects collected in the control plots during the experiment was higher relative to the treated plots. Neem oil at 1L.ha-1 showed reduced crop damage and the number of larvae of Fall Armyworm (FAW), thus increased the yield of maize.
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.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.