Biological diversity of arthropods associated with two varieties of pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L., 1753) at Nkolmelen (Yaoundé, Cameroon)

Abstract

Pepper is a vegetable which plays an important role in the human diet and health. Many insects attack this plant and decrease its production in the absence of appropriate phytosanitary treatment. Thus, the objective of the present study was to record the arthropods associated with the yellow and red pepper varieties. For this purpose, weekly observations were conducted during two cropping cycles on 192 plants, using a completely randomized device. As results, the fauna of the pepper was very diverse and stable (specific richness 47 and Equitability index 0.86). The yellow pepper was the most sensitive with an average of nine insect species per plant versus eight on the red pepper. These insects belonged to seven orders (Arachnida, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and the Orthoptera), 28 families and 47 species. The densest orders were Diptera represented by Ceratitis capitata, Silba capsicarum, followed by Hymenoptera were represented by Camponotus floridanus, Camponotus acvapimensis and Crematogaster sp. and Hemiptera represented by Aphis gossypii, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Pseudococcus sp. The present study provided a database on arthropodofauna of the pepper plant. This is of paramount importance for the development of healthy and sustainable protection strategies among pepper producers in order to improve national production.