Occurrence and Damage Levels of Thaumatotibia leucotreta on Capsicum in Selected Counties in Lower Eastern Kenya

Judith Nabwire Oundo (), Shepard Ndlela (), Abdelmutalab G. A. Azrag, Dora Kilalo, Florence Olubayo and Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed
Additional contact information
Judith Nabwire Oundo: Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 52428-00200, Kenya
Shepard Ndlela: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Abdelmutalab G. A. Azrag: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Dora Kilalo: Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 52428-00200, Kenya
Florence Olubayo: Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 52428-00200, Kenya
Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe ), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: The false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick), is believed to have originated from Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, this pest has extensively spread and is found in most parts of Africa, with records in approximately 40 countries in over 100 host plant species. Despite Thaumatotibia leucotreta being the leading cause of interceptions of Capsicum and cut flowers exported by Kenya to the European Union, information on abundance and damage levels inflicted on capsicum is limited. The objective of the study was to assess the abundance and damage levels of T. leucotreta on capsicum in the selected counties in Lower Eastern Kenya (Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni counties). Higher T. leucotreta larval density per farm was recorded in Kitui County compared to other counties. In farms with capsicum only (not intercropped with other crops), the mean number of FCM larvae was relatively higher in Kitui. Farming practices such as the use of uncertified seeds and seedlings and the excessive use of pesticides may be the major contributors to high larval incidence in Kitui County.

Keywords: occurrence; Thaumatotibia leucotreta; larval density; population; cropping system; farming practice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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