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Economic importance of Characoma stictigrapta Hampson, a lepidopterous (Noctuidae) pest of cocoa in Ghana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

N. A. K. Akotoye
Affiliation:
Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, New Tafo, Ghana.

Abstract

Damage by larvae of Characoma stictigrapta Hmps. to cocoa in Ghana was investigated. The noctuid caused serious damage to vegetative parts and pods, and this damage was found to be aggregatory and to fluctuate throughout the year. The abandoned tunnels of the larvae were invaded by other cocoa invertebrates as well as by blackpod fungus, Phytophthora palmivora, a serious cocoa disease, which damages about 19% of the crop annually.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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