title: Infestation and population dynamics of insects on stored cassava and yams chips in Benin, West Africa.
abstract: Natural insect infestation in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz subspecies esculenta) and yam (Dioscorea spp.) chips was evaluated during two consecutive storage seasons (2003-2004 and 2004-2005) in two agroecological zones of Benin (Northern Guinea Savanna [NGS] and Sudan Savanna [SS]). The insects infesting chips were collected, identified, and counted, they included Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), Cathartus quadricollis (Guerin) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), Carpophilus dimidiatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). P. truncatus and C. quadricollis were observed with a higher prevalence on cassava than on yam chips. During both seasons after 3 mo of storage, all (100%) cassava chip samples were infested with P. truncatus and C. quadricollis in both agroecological zones, whereas yam chips only showed lower infestation rates of 59.5 and 19.1% for P. truncatus and C. quadricollis, respectively, at the end of storage in 2003-2004. During the 2004-2005 season after 3 mo of storage infestation rate in yam chips was 66 and 24% in NGS and 100 and 0% in SS for P. truncatus and C. quadricollis, respectively, showing that insect infestation levels vary significantly with commodity, year, and fluctuate during the storage season.
authors.affiliation: Program on Agricultural and Food Technology, National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin, P.O. Box 128, Porto-Novo, Benin. bgnonlonfin@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: G J B
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Gnonlonfin
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hell
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Siame
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fandohan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001541:Benin; D027742:Dioscorea; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D007300:Insect Control; D007313:Insecta / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D002365:Manihot; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012621:Seasons