dc.contributor.author |
Robert W. Nyukuri1 , Fred M. E. Wanjala1 , Evelyn Cheramgoi2 , Jared O. Odhiambo3 and Stella C. Kirui4 |
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2021-05-27T07:39:34Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2021-05-27T07:39:34Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2012 |
|
dc.identifier.issn |
1939-1250 |
|
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10988 |
|
dc.description.abstract |
This study was aimed at determining the effects of mixed and single cropping agroecosystems on the prevalence of
different species of insect pests and coccinellids. It involved six growing crops: maize Zea mays L., beans Phaseolus vulgaris L.
and cowpeas Vignaunguiculata L. Walp in single and mixed stands and sampling throughout the phenology of the crops. Eight insect
pest species were recorded on maize grown alone, while thirty seven insect species were endemic on cowpea mono cropped and were
of six orders whereas twenty two insect pest species occurred on beans. The predator population was most abundant in the mixed
stands of maize and beans (2.33 predators per 30 aphids) as compared to their occurrence in pure stands of cowpeas (0.85 predators
per 30 aphids) as there were numerous aphids on beans at pre-flowering phase that supported a higher population level of
coccinellids. Also, predator population was at the peak during the tussling stage of maize as they fed on the pollen grains while
aphids on cowpeas co-existed mutualistically with black ants that protected them against predation. The genus Cheilomenes spp. was
the most ubiquitous predator with a mean of 4.00 individuals per 30 aphids while Hippodamiavariegata was the least abundant
predator species with a mean of 0.92 individuals per 30 aphids in all the agroecosystems as the Cheilomenes spp. had a faster
discovery rate, range of perception, effective capture efficiency and a shorter handling time of a prey. |
en_US |
dc.language.iso |
en |
en_US |
dc.title |
Effects of Different Agroecosystems on Prevalence of Different Species of Pests and Coccinellid Predators |
en_US |
dc.type |
Article |
en_US |