A Survey on the Incidence of Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus spp) aroud the Lake Chad Shore Area of Nigeria

Abstract

Spider mite belongs to the family Tetranychidae that comprise a huge number of different species that attack a wide range of plants. A survey was conducted to gather information about spider mite around the Lake Chad shore area of Nigeria. The aim was to report the status of spider mite on horticultural crops, the amount of loss that is associated with the infestation and to find out the measures being taken by farmers in controlling the pests. A preliminary survey was conducted by visiting and inspecting farms around six villages (Daban masara,Daban giwa,Gapchari,Dumba,Baga and Doro) in the Lake Chad shore area before the focus was centered on Baga and Dumba where the mites are found. Using structured interview method, a sample size of 62 farmers was interviewed around the two villages. The farmers were selected at random and interviewed on their farms. The information gathered revealed that red spider mite (Tetranychus spp)was found to have been a major pest on egg plant and tomato since the year 2006 around Baga and Dumba in the Lake Chad shore area of Nigeria. More than 50% loss of yield on eggplant has been recorded. To reduce this huge loss of yield, farmers in the area use insecticide spray as their major control measure. Some 20% of them use ordinary water spray in addition to insecticides. Thorough sanitation and burning of plant debris after each cropping season reduces the incidence spider mite infestation. Key wards: Spider mite, eegplant, survey, Lake Chad shore