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Journal of Entomology

Year: 2009 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 124-134
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Authors

Y. Beyene

T. Hofsvang

F. Azerefegne

Keywords

Research Article

Phenology and Migration of Tef Epilachna, Chnootriba similis Thunberg; (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Ethiopia

Y. Beyene, T. Hofsvang and F. Azerefegne
Studies were conducted on the phenology of tef Epilachna, Chnootriba similis Thunburg, formerly known as Epilachna similis, from 2003 to 2005 along two selected rivers and from 2004 to 2005 in two agricultural fields. Abundance of the insect was observed in barley fields every week and fortnightly along the rivers using 0.25 m2 quadrates and insect sweep nets, respectively. It survives along rivers during the dry period as adult in diapause, which terminates around mid-January, with increased feeding and initiation of mating. The adults then migrate to agricultural fields between March and April. This may be delayed because of the reduced cumulative rainfall in January and February. Termination of diapause and adult migration is influenced by rainfall. It is a bivoltine insect. The adults from the second generation migrate to rivers between September and October as they require moisture to overwinter during the dry period of the year, while the majority of the first generation adults remain in the agricultural fields. The ovipositional, larval and pupal periods of both generations was investigated and the duration of the developmental stages of the first generation were longer than in the second. This insect is mainly a pest of seedlings.
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Dr. Remy Tuey Reply

Our earlier investigation in Kenya suggests a multivoltine life history and the pest attacks wheat, maize, grasses, etc. on wheat it was observed at eraly tiller and at flag leaf stage. what are the situations in Ethipoia on wheat?

Yibrah Beyene Reply

Dear Dr Remy Tuey

Thank you for reading the article and the question. This insect has two generations per year at least in Ethiopia. I haven’t seen any article clearly indicating that this insect is a multivoltine. However, some literatures indicated that it survives in wet areas during the off seasons and this report may evidence that this insect has more that one generation.

The pest status of the insect in Ethiopia is increasing. Earlier it was considered as a minor pest of cereal crops but now it is damaging different cereal crops including wheat. However, the pest status depends on locations and the types of available cereal crops. In the rift valley of the country, for example, reports show that there were outbreaks on wheat and wheat was the main cereal crop at the time. In fact, the insect has preference inclined to barley, according to my investigations.

With regards!

Yibrah


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