Insect pests of sweet berry (Richardella dulcifica) (Schumach and Thonn) Baehni in Ghana

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2014-11-17
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A study on sweet berries was conducted in three towns representing three regions in Ghana; Nsawam (Eastern region), Kpando (Volta region) and Agona-Wiamoase (Ashanti region) from November, 2010 to June 2012 to (i) determine sweet berry farmers’ perspectives about sweet berry production in Ghana; (ii) identify important insect pests of sweet berry, Richardella dulcifica (Schumach and Thonn) Baehni and the damage they cause and (iii) identify their management strategies. A majority (67 %) of sweet berry farmers aged over 40 years and 70 % were males. Similarly, majority of them have had at least basic education. All the farmers relied on cultural practices to manage the insect pests of the crop. Seventeen insects’ species belonging to five orders were recorded in all the regions with 15 being pests. Diptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera and Blattodea were collected. Ten insect pests belonging to the order, Lepidoptera, caused different types of damage to the berries with Catopsilia frorella Fab. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) being the most common pest. About 55 % of the damage on berries was caused by Ceratitis punctata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) which makes it the most important insect pest of the crop in Ghana. All the pests species recorded occurred during all the phenological stages of the plant except C. punctata which occurred during only the ripening stage of the berries. Most of the pests attacked the plant in the morning and late afternoon with the berries and leaves being the parts mostly attacked. Six types of damage were recorded with ovipositional punctures being the most common. Cultural and chemical control strategies can be integrated to manage the insect pests.
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Thesis submitted to the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture KNUST, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of MSc. Crop Protection (Entomology)
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