The effects of intercropping with cereals and minimal permethrin applications on insect pests of cowpea and their natural enemies in Nigeria

Abstract

Major insect pests and their natural enemies were sampled on cowpea in monocrop and cereal intercrop plots in southern and northern Nigeria. Populations of flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom), were reduced by 42% and predators, mostly Orius spp. (Anthocoridae), by 23% on cowpea in maize intercrop plots at Ofiki in the south. Infestation by pyralid pod borer, Maruca testulalis Geyer, was unaffected by cropping system. The results suggest that tasselling maize attracts flower‐eating beetles (Meloidae) to intercrop plots, and that pod‐sucking Hemiptera were increased by cereal intercrops at Yankara in the north. Three u.l.v. applications of permethrin at 150 g a.i./ha to monocrop cowpea reduced pest populations by 50 to 85% in the south and increased yield sevenfold. However, the sprayed crop in the north was lost due to a heavy infestation of pod‐sucking bug, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål, and outbreaks of Aphis craccivora Koch on sprayed plots in both localities suggested damage to natural enemies. It is concluded that the pest management potential of intercropping is variable and dependent on environmental factors, but it is recommended that intercropping be used in integrated pest management systems with the progressive decrease in insecticide use.