Ecology and agricultural pest status of the the village weaverbird (Ploceus cuculatus Muller) In south western Nigeria.
1967
Funmilayo, O., Department of Agricultural Biology , University of Ibadan, Ibadan,(Nigeria) | Akande, M., Insitute of Agricultural Research and Training, University of Ife, Moor Plantation, Ibadan (Nigeria)
The ecology and agricultural pest status of the village weaverbird were examined through a combination of visual observations and the quantitative assessment of its social organization, diet and reproduction. The existence of temporary breeding colonies in this species is reported for the first time. It was found that the numerical abundance, the strongly communal habits, the building of nests on economic trees and the use of the leaves of economic plants for nesting are the factors which predispose this species to damage oil palm trees, coconut trees, plantain and banana. On the other hand, damage to rice fruits, maize grains and oil palm fruits is a function of the diet and gregarious feeding habits of the large populations. Ploceus cucullatus has a poor reproductive performance, the survival rate from eggs to fledglings being only 29·5 per cent. It was suggested that effective population control of this pest species might be achieved by physically attacking the pest at the most vulnerable stage in its biology, that is, during the development from eggs to fledglings.
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