title: Population Dynamics of Aphthona whitfieldi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Pest of Jatropha curcas, and Environmental Factors Favoring Its Abundance in Burkina Faso.
abstract: The flea beetle Aphthona whitfieldi Bryant (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is the main pest of the bioenergy crop Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) in Burkina Faso and several other West African countries. Adults severely defoliate plants, resulting in seedling mortality, poor growth, and low yields. To study the population dynamics of the pest in the Sissili Province of Burkina Faso, 12 sites were monitored weekly during a year and 31 sites were inspected for damage at the peak period of insect abundance. The effect of cropping systems (hedge, intercropping, and monoculture) and surrounding vegetation on population densities of A. whitfieldi was assessed. Beetles were rarely found in the dry season and peaked in the second half of the rainy season. The cropping system did not significantly influence the abundance and attack level. In contrast, the close vicinity of fallow lands seems to increase damage levels. Many aspects of the biology and ecology of A. whitfieldi remain to be investigated before sustainable control methods can be developed. However, this study already allows us to propose recommendations for further research on management.
authors.affiliation: Fasobiocarburant, BP 200 Léo, Burkina Faso Université Polytechnique de Bobo-Dioulasso, IDR, Département des Productions Végétales, 01 B.P. 1091 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Alizèta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sawadogo
authors.affiliation: Fasobiocarburant, BP 200 Léo, Burkina Faso Université Polytechnique de Bobo-Dioulasso, IDR, Département des Productions Végétales, 01 B.P. 1091 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Estérer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nagalo
authors.affiliation: Fasobiocarburant, BP 200 Léo, Burkina Faso INERA, CREAF de Kamboinsé, 01 BP 476 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Souleymane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nacro
authors.affiliation: Fasobiocarburant, BP 200 Léo, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Mathurin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rouamba
authors.affiliation: CABI, 2800 Delémont, Switzerland m.kenis@cabi.org.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kenis
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002050:Burkina Faso; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D031286:Jatropha / Q000254:growth & development; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012621:Seasons
keywords: Chrysomelidae; bioenergy crop; intercropping