The seasonal distribution and abundance of adult Temnoschoita quadrimaculata Gly., a pest of oil palm in Ghana was studied. The weevil occurred throughout the year with a peak of abundance from March to June. It preferred breeding in cut fronds which result from harvesting or pruning and was more abundant in 3–6 days old cut fronds.Adult weevils preferred the upper third portion in comparison to the lower and middle third portion of the palm tree. Their incidence and abundance in pruned plantations was statistically greater (P < 0.05) than in unpruned plantations. Older palm trees were relatively more susceptible to attack than younger ones. Adult weevils preferred feeding on the fresh frond tissues than on leaflets.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1742758400007098

Distribution and abundance of Temnoschoita Quadrimaculata Gly. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on oil palm, Elaeis guineensis Jacq. in Ghana.

Breeding biology of oil palm weevil, Temnoschoita quadrimaculata Gly, was studied Females lay small, whitish and cylindrical eggs singly in cut wounds made on the fronds and trunk of oil palm, Elaeis guineensis Jacq The larvae were found to feed voraciously in the fresh and dead tissues of the palm fronds and trunk The weevil has six overlapping generations Unmated females were observed to have longer pre-oviposition period, laid fewer eggs and lived longer than the mated ones Durations of the immature stages of the weevil are studied Natural enemies and alternate host plants of the pest are given

S. K. Asante

Papers

Biology of Temnoschoita quadrimaculata Gly. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on oil palm in Ghana