On the knowledge of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Col., Bostrichidae), a dangerous pest of maize in Africa
1992
Pierce, S. (Hannover Univ. (Germany). Lehrgebiet Zoologie-Entomologie. Fachbereich Biologie) | Schmidt, G.H.
A review is given on the biology and distribution as well as the chances of controlling the bostrichid Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) in Africa. In the last decade this beetle has become one of the most important stored-product pests in the maize growing regions. It was imported from the tropical parts of middle America, where the larger corn borer caused little damage. At the beginning of the 70's the beetle appeared in West and East Africa with imported maize. Since that time it has expanded irresistibly through the whole area South of the Sahara. Apart from maize, which is its staple diet, P. truncatus destroys timber, leather and various artificial materials. Its reproduction is very high in corn cobs, which is the conventional form of storage in rural regions. Recent investigations reveal that the beetle attacks the cob on the plant before harvest has occurred. The losses in maize storages due to P. truncatus are four times higher than that experienced by all other forms of destructive pests. Estimations showed that a country-wide distribution of the pest in Kenya, originating from its badly affected neighbour Tanzania, cause a loss of harvest of at least DM 33 millions per year. This destruction must be balanced by correspondingly high imports. Chloride hydrocarbons and P-O-esters are unsuitable for pest control. Some pyrethroids are very effective, but are not toxic for the other stored-product pests also present in harvested corn. The use of opponents has proved unsuccessful. Neither predators and parasitoids nor microorganisms and protozoa have succeeded in regulation of the population. Whether the predator Teretriosoma nigrescens (Lewis), imported from middle America, can be used as control organism in Africa has yet to be proved
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