Abstract
Jatropha curcas L. is a non-edible oleaginous plant of Euphorbiacea family. Its seeds provide oil for industrial use, and when grown as a biofuel, J. curcas can be used to restore degraded soil by improving their fertility and by controlling water and wind erosion. The plant also reduces CO2 emission by carbon sequestration. However, J. curcas is attacked by many insect pests including C. panaethiopica, a polyphagous heteroptera of the Scutelleridae family. Larvae and adults of the insect pest feed on J. curcas flowers, fruit, and seeds, thereby causing quantitative and qualitative losses. Despite the economic importance of this insect pest, there is little known about its potential natural enemies. A survey of the natural enemies of C. panaethiopica was carried out from 3rd June 2013 to 29th May 2014 on three J. curcas production sites in the South-Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso. Three Hymenopteran egg parasitoids all belonging to the Scelionidae family were found. These included Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston), Psixstriaticeps (Dodd), and Gryon sp. Several predator species belonging to the Araneae, Tarachodidae and Mantidae families were also found. The egg parasitism increased progressively between June and September 2013, reaching a peak (43%) in September 2013. The number of spiders and mantises was higher between July and August 2013. The highest numbers of natural enemies associated with the insect pest were recorded in J. curcas monoculture plantations.
Highlights
Jatropha curcas L. is a shrub originating from South America, producing non-edible oil used as fuel in partial or total replacement of fossil fuels [1]
The highest numbers of natural enemies associated with the insect pest were recorded in J. curcas monoculture plantations
Natural enemies associated with C. panaethiopica included 3 Hymenoptera wasps all belonging to the Scelionidae family and several predators belonging to the Araneae, Tarachodidae and Mantidae families (Table 1)
Summary
Jatropha curcas L. is a shrub originating from South America, producing non-edible oil used as fuel in partial or total replacement of fossil fuels [1]. Its height varies between 3 and 5 m [2]. This shrub is believed to have been introduced in Africa by Portuguese sailors from Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau in the 16th century [3]. The Jatropha genus contains about 170 known species [4]. In Burkina Faso, 4 species of Jatropha are known: J. curcas L., J. gossypiifolia L., J. podagrica H. and J. integerrima J. The J. curcas L. species is the most widely spread and the most exploited
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