Browsing by Author "Egbon, I.N."
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Item Discovery of, and studies on, Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in southern Nigeria(International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 2011-09) Uyi, O.U.; Egbon, I.N.; Igbinosa, I.B.The moth Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros, whose host plant is the invasive alien plant Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson, was recently discovered in Uson (6° 14′ 30.77″ N, 6° 04′ 41.37″ E), Evbuabogun (6° 15′ 39.33″ N, 5° 38′ 58.29″ E) and Ekae (6° 15′ 34.90″ N, 5° 37′ 19.75″ E) villages in southern Nigeria after its first release as a biological control agent in that country in 1972. The moth seemed to become more abundant as the rainy season progressed. Studies on some aspects of its biology and behaviour were conducted both in the laboratory and in the field. Females laid eggs on the undersides of C. odorata leaves and on the walls of rearing cages. Female pupae were significantly (PAItem Eight decades of invasion by Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) and its biological control in West Africa: the story so far(Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2019-09-24) Adom, M.; Aigbedion-Atalor, P.O.; Day, M.D.; Uyi, O.; Egbon, I.N.; Idemudia, I.; Igbinosa, I.B.; Paterson, I.D.; Braimah, H.; Wilson, D.D.; Zachariades, C.Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson (Asteraceae) is a perennial weedy shrub of neotropical origin and a serious biotic threat in its invasive range. The Asian-West Africa (AWA) biotype of C. odorata present in West Africa is both morphologically and genetically different from the southern African (SA) biotype. The AWA biotype was first introduced into Nigeria in the late 1930s and rapidly spread across West Africa. Currently, 12 of the 16 countries in West Africa have been invaded, with significant negative effects on indigenous flora and fauna. However, locals in West Africa have found several uses for the weed. As chemical, physical and other conventional methods were unsustainable, costly and largely ineffective, three biological control agents, Apion brunneonigrum (Coleoptera: Brentidae), Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Cecidochares connexa (Diptera: Tephritidae), have been released in West Africa between the 1970s and the early 2000s. However, only C. connexa and P. pseudoinsulata established, contributing to the control of the weed, in six and four countries in West Africa respectively. Limited research funding, the absence of post-release evaluations of the established agents, and the ‘conflict of interest’ status of C. odorata (i.e. being beneficial for local use but damaging to ecosystem services and agriculture), are serious factors deterring the overall biological control effort. Here, using historical records and field surveys, we examine the invasion history, spread, impacts, and management of C. odorata in West Africa and make recommendations for the sustainable management of C. odorata in the region.Item Identification of a Sitophilus species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infesting cowpea seeds in Ghana: A short communication(Savannah Journal of Agriculture, 2009) Egbon, I.N.; Ayertey, J.N.Item Incidence of Sitophilus oryzae and other stored-product pests on cowpea in local markets in Accra: Management strategies employed by retailers(Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2013-05) Egbon, I.N.; Ayertey, J.N.In recent times, the unusual presence of Sitophilus on cowpea has become an issue in Ghana as it constitutes a threat to food sufficiency and food security; this, by extension, necessitated the execution of this survey to establish the specific identity of the insect and its incidence, on stored cowpea in Ghana and consequently assess the level of awareness of traders and the management strategies employed. Using internal morphological identification techniques, the insect was identified as Sitophilus oryzae with an incidence rate of 12, 22 and 20% as against 50, 41 and 42% incidence rate of Callosobruchus maculatus after 30, 60 and 90 days respectively, of undisturbed storage of cowpea within the marketing systems in Accra, Ghana. Relatively low number of retailers (35.44%, N = 79) was aware of this occurrence, with 91.14% of this employing the energy-demanding and time-consuming sieving techniques as their main control strategies. This paper draws attention to the possible worsening of food insecurity already eminent in Africa for insects are no respecters of international or geo-political boundaries as they can spread to other countries, should this observation be left unchecked. © 2013 Asian Network for Scientific Information.Item Relative susceptibility of 13 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties and some cereal grains to attack by sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)(African Entomology, 2012-08) Egbon, I.N.; Ayertey, J.N.; Eziah, V.Y.Thirteen cowpea varieties and two cereal grains were evaluated in the laboratory for their susceptibility to Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Parameters used in this evaluation were damage and losses caused to grains that were attacked, and the suitability of the grains for insect breeding. Results showed that S. oryzae caused varying degrees of damage and weight loss to eight varieties of cowpeas, just as it did to sorghum and maize. Five varieties of cowpea (IT86D-719, IT86D-721, IT89KD-288, IT90K-277-2 and IT93K-452-1) were significantly (P < 0.01) resistant to S. oryzae than other varieties of cowpeas. SARC-L02 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher susceptibility index while IT90K-277-2 had the lowest susceptibility index of zero. In the absence of its preferred host crop, sorghum or rice, S. oryzae will most probably switch host to cowpea instead of maize, because it developed faster on most cowpeas, just like it does on sorghum than on maize. This unusual observation calls for urgent integrated action on grain handling and storage, as many are often stored together in markets or stores by grain dealers and farmers and this would increase the risk of easy spread of the weevil in such stores.