Tragocephala nobilis Fabricius (Coleoptera:Cerambycidae): A new insect pest threatening the domestication of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn.) in Ghana
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2023
Department
College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
Abstract
Tragocephala nobilis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera:Cerambycidae), an insect pest (herbivorous insect), was recently found on a multipurpose tropical tree species, Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn.) Taub, in Ghana. Although the pest has been previously reported on other tree crops such as cocoa and Coffea arabica, this is the first report on T. tetraptera. T. tetraptera is a deciduous tree crop with numerous nutritional and medicinal benefits. The pest, a long-horned beetle is found to attack T. tetraptera tree and damage is first observed as die-back of twigs and branches leading to the formation of a witches broom in the crown. This is followed by a series of tunnels created by the larvae on the main stem resulting in branch death and/or tree mortality. In view of the threat posed by the pest to T. tetraptera, a broader study is needed urgently to develop an integrated pest management strategy for T. nobilis pest in T. tetraptera plantations as the interest in its domestication as a tree crop is burgeoning in response to increasing herbal medicine and food supplements demand.
Publication Title
African Journal of Ecology
Recommended Citation
Opuni-Frimpong, E.,
Opuni-Frimpong, E.,
Mensah, J.,
Adu-Gyamfi, A.,
Okyere-Agyapong, E.,
Sarfo, K.,
Attiah, G.,
&
Bosu, P.
(2023).
Tragocephala nobilis Fabricius (Coleoptera:Cerambycidae): A new insect pest threatening the domestication of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn.) in Ghana.
African Journal of Ecology.
http://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13142
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/17033