Browsing by Author "Meke, Gerald Simeon"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Insects associated with fruit, seed and foliage of Uapaca kirkiana (Muell.arg.) (Euphorbiaceae) in Malawi
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1998-03) Meke, Gerald Simeon; Geertsema, H.; Van Wyk, G.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Forest & Wood Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Arthropods associated with Uapaca kirkiana in Dedza and Zomba, Malawi, were collected during October 1996, January 1997, June 1997 and August 1997 using various collection methods including beating, sweepnets, suction using an aspirator and collection of parts of plants with endogenous arthropods or on which external sessile arthropods were attached. A total of 12,849 arthropods were collected and sorted into 10 orders, 40 families and 51 morphospecies. Arthropod diversity was high in Dedza, but the few arthropods species that occurred in Zomba had more individuals per species. More arthropods were recorded on trees growing in woodlands dominated by either large or small Uapaca trees. Leafchewers and sapsuckers comprised the majority of the arthropods collected. Highest arthropod counts were registered in October 1996 and lowest in June1997. Six arthropod morphospecies namely Phycitidae (undetermined species), white scales (undetermined species), Gelechiidae (undetermined species), Lasiocampidae (undetermined), Bunaea alcinoe (Saturniidae) and Leptoglossus membraceus (Heteroptera) were observed causing significant damage. The other species were either natural enemies or did not significantly affect U. kirkiana trees. Most arthropod damage was observed on individual trees on the farm and in woodlands dominated by either large or small Uapaca trees. The low arthropod incidence and arthropod damage on U. kirkiana in mixed woodland and fire prone areas suggest that mixed woodland is the best option for managing U. kirkiana and that early controlled fire can also be used to minimize pests. The large number of arthropods without a direct effect on U. kirkianaunderlines the role of this tree as an alternative or alternate host to pests of associated crops.