Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: Citrus is one of the world�s major fruit crops recognized for its popularity in contributing to food and nutritional security. Citrus orchards serve as a habitat for plethora of arthropods including harmful and beneficial insects. However, these beneficial insects such as butterflies, moths, bees, predators, parasitoids face the same fate as harmful insects during pesticide and herbicide applications. An inventory of an entomofauna associated with citrus orchards is poorly documented making it difficult for an economically and ecologically sound integrated pest management (IPM) strategy to be adopted. Aim: The purpose of the study was to document entomofauna associated with citrus. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A passive sampling technique using malaise, flight interception, pit fall, forceps and yellow pan traps were utilized on monthly basis for a period of six months in two agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Findings: A total of 20,285 individual insects belonging to 387 species from 107 families and 13 orders were recorded. Diversity indices such as Shannon-Wiener index, Pielou�s evenness and Margalef index were higher in the Coastal Savannah zone than the semi-deciduous rainforest zone during both the wet and the dry seasons. Oecophylla longinoda Latreille was the most dominant insect species in each agroecological zone, however, they were more abundant in the semi-deciduous rainforest than the Coastal Savannah zone. Nine percent (9%) of all the 387 insects collected were pests of citrus. Conclusion & Significance: Citrus orchards are potential habitats for insect biodiversity conservation. We recommend that management tactics which have less or no negative effects on natural enemies, pollinators among others, but can effectively suppress insect pest populations and should be adopted. Our study has also provided the first comprehensive inventory of insect species associated with citrus agroecosystems serving as a baseline data for further studies to encourage adoption of economically sound IPM approach for citrus production.

Biography

Email: fowusu@icipe.org