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Some factors pertaining to coffee shoots and within canopies affecting the distribution of yellow-headed borer, Dirphya nigricornis Olivier (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) egg niches in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

F. M. E. Wanjala
Affiliation:
Coffee Research Foundation, P.O. Box 4, Ruiru, Kenya
B. M. Khaemba
Affiliation:
Department of Forestry, Mio University, P.O. Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya
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Abstract

The plant factors that contribute to the abundance of beetles in coffee fields were studied and analysed relative to shoot and canopy features of the host plant. During infestation Dirphya nigricornis Olivier constructed niches within specific heights (145.0–210.0 cm) of the canopies such that there was a highly significant (r = 0.99, P = 0.001) availability of adequate habitat for larval development. The adaptation of the pest to the host plant was good, irrespective of varieties and culture systems of the coffee plant. It was concluded that the alignment of eggs to tip internodes synchronised the newly hatched larvae with the coffee tissues, usually between 0.5 to 30 cm off the shoots, of extremely low dry matter, and high moisture content, such factors favouring early larval development.

Résumé

Les facteurs végétaux qui contribuent a l'abondance des D. nigricornis dus les caféiers. Ont ete etudiés relatifs aux jeunes pousses et aux couverts végétaux. L'infestation se fait par la construction des nids á une haunter specifique (145 a 210 cm) favorable au dévelopement larraire. Cette observation serant uraie pour tait systeme de culture et toute variete cultivee. L'emplacement d'oeufs tout an long des internoeuds se fait de façon synchrone avec le closion des larves sur le dévelopment tittulaire des jeunes pousses, en général de 0, 5 a 30 cm, region qui correspond a une faible teneur de matiere seche mais a une forte teneur en eau.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1987

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