Pseudonoorda edulis Maes & Poligui (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), the safou red borer caterpillar (SRBC), is a new insect species from Central and West Africa, recently reported as a fruit pest of Dacryodes edulis in Gabon. Damage in Gabon was estimated at 22 % in terms of fruit loss. Two peaks of attacks were recorded at the end of September and November, respectively. Fully grown larvae were red and the moth was earthen in colour. Average length and breadth of eggs were 0.86 ± 0.01 mm and 0.47 ± 0.01 mm, respectively. First, second, third, fourth and fifth instar larvae measured in length as 4.80 ± 0.09 mm, 8.00 ± 0.12 mm, 13.03 ± 0.32 mm, 15.17 ± 0.08 mm and 19.69 ± 0.43 mm and in breadth as 0.87 ± 0.02 mm, 1.87 ± 0.02 mm, 2.30 ± 0.32 mm, 2.67 ± 0.03 mm and 2.75 ± 0.21 mm, respectively. The male and female wingspan average was 19.64 ± 1.05 mm and 22.60 ± 1.40 mm, respectively. Further investigations are needed to assess suitable strategies for biological control of this pest.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2015
The Safou Red Borer Caterpillar Pseudonoorda edulis (Lepidoptera, Crambidae): First Observations from Field Surveys on Its Biology and Morphometrics in Gabon
R.N. Poligui,
I. Mouaragadja,
E. Haubruge,
F. Francis
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
African Entomology
Vol. 23 • No. 1
March 2015
Vol. 23 • No. 1
March 2015
BIOLOGY
control
Gabon
Pseudonoorda edulis
Safou
survey