International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2017) 37, 183-188

James Peter Egonyu, John Baguma, Isaac Ogari, Gladys Ahumuza and Gerald Ddumba (2017)
Host preference by the twig borer Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and simulated influence of shade trees on its populations
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 37 (3), 183-188
Abstract: Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) is a serious pest of Coffea canephora and Theobroma cacao in Uganda and also attacks several common shade tree species often associated with these crops. Seedlings of 10 common hosts of X. compactus were screened for preferential infestation by X. compactus, with a view to analysing the potential role of the shade trees in escalating incidence and damage by the pest. The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks in a garden of mature C. canephora infested by X. compactus that served as a natural source of infestation for the seedlings. The seedlings that became infested by X. compactus were counted weekly and the counts subjected to generalized linear modelling. Results show marked host preference by X. compactus, with T. cacao and C. canephora being the most preferred, while Eucalyptus sp. and Albizia chinensis being the least preferred. Four simulated scenarios of incidence and damage by X. compactus on a preferred crop such as C. canephora are discussed. It is suggested that it is most unlikely for unpreferred alternate host shade tree species to markedly increase populations of X. compactus on shaded preferred host plants. However, these simulations, which are based on results from potted seedlings, need to be validated in a real field situation, taking into account other ecological parameters that are likely to influence pest populations.
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Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Xylosandrus compactus	Coffee (Coffea)	Uganda
	Xylosandrus compactus	Cacao (Theobroma cacao)	Uganda