Kouadio Koffi Franck Stanislas1 and Ouali N’Goran San-Whouly Mauricette2
1 Laboratory of Natural Environments and Biodiversity Conservation, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, 01 BP V34 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire
2 Laboratory of Natural Environments and Biodiversity Conservation, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, 01 BP V34 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire
Original language: English
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Abstract
The damage caused by mirids of the genus Helopeltis to cashew orchards is one of the major concerns of cashew nut producers in Côte d’Ivoire. This study was conducted to determine the periods of high infestation of these pests in relation to the impact of abiotic and biotic factors. The study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 in three orchards in the Hambôl region in north-central Côte d’Ivoire. Direct and trap captures were made on 50 trees per orchard every three days. Temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and cashew tree phenology were recorded. The results revealed that Helopeltis is present in orchards almost all year round, with a single period of high population density. This period extends from July to January, with the peak observed in December. Population dynamics are positively correlated with relative humidity and negatively correlated with temperature. Population peaks were recorded during the flowering stage of the cashew tree. Knowledge of the fluctuation of Helopeltis populations could guide the choice of appropriate periods and means for an efficient control strategy.
Author Keywords: population, fluctuation, Helopeltis, cashew tree, biotic factors, Phenology stages, Côte d’Ivoire.
