Abstract
Survey was carried out to study the distribution, infestation and damaging level of insect pests of black pepper during 2013/2014 cropping season in Southwestern Ethiopia. Insect pests were observed and identified at their sites in the surveyed areas. In addition, samples of insect pests and infected plant parts were collected and insect images were taken. The samples were diagnosed in Tepi National Spice Research Center laboratory. A total of twenty two species of insect pests were recorded as black pepper insect pest with different rate of infestation and damage level. Biting black ants (Tetramorium species), black pepper flea beetle (Longitarsus species), leaf gal trips (Liothrips species), and stink bugs (Pentatomidae) were recorded with relatively high infestation and damage level from all surveyed area, while others were considered as intermediate and minor pest due to low infestation and damage level. Therefore, it is important to design control options for these major insect pests to ensure plant health and pest action under economic threshold level. Key words: Survey, black pepper, insect pests, infestation, damage level, spices.
Highlights
Ethiopia is a homeland for many spices, such as korarima (Aframomum corrarima), long pepper (Piper capense), black cumin (Nigella sativa), bishops weed (Trachy spermumammi) („Nechazmud‟) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) (Jansen, 1981; Edossa, 1998; Girma et al, 2008a)
A total of twenty two species of insect pests were recorded as black pepper insect pest with different rate of infestation and damage level
Black pepper known as king of spices is one of the oldest spice crops that originated from India and distributed to other countries (Purseglove et al, 1981; Girma et al, 2008a)
Summary
Ethiopia is a homeland for many spices, such as korarima (Aframomum corrarima), long pepper (Piper capense), black cumin (Nigella sativa), bishops weed (Trachy spermumammi) („Nechazmud‟) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) (Jansen, 1981; Edossa, 1998; Girma et al, 2008a). Black pepper known as king of spices is one of the oldest spice crops that originated from India and distributed to other countries (Purseglove et al, 1981; Girma et al, 2008a). Black pepper („Kundoberbere‟ in Amharic) was introduced to Ethiopia between 1979 and 1980 from potential producing countries (Girma et al, 2008a, b; TNSRC, unpublished data). It is considered a high value spice crop, since it earns significant foreign exchange for a country (CSA, 2016). The demand for black pepper and its product is increasing
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