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Diversity, distribution and role of wild crucifers in major cabbage and kale growing areas of Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 December 2008

R. Kahuthia-Gathu ,
B. Löhr ,
H.M. Poehling  and
P.K. Mbugua
R. Kahuthia-Gathu
Affiliation:
International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology, PO Box 30772, 00100 Nairobi Universität Hannover, Institute of Plant Protection and Plant Diseases, Herrenhäuser strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
B. Löhr
Affiliation:
International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology, PO Box 30772, 00100 Nairobi
H.M. Poehling*
Affiliation:
Universität Hannover, Institute of Plant Protection and Plant Diseases, Herrenhäuser strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
P.K. Mbugua
Affiliation:
Kenyatta University, Department of Plant & Microbial Sciences, PO Box 48344, Nairobi
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: 0049/511/762301 E-mail: Poehling@ipp.uni-hannover.de
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Abstract

An investigation of the diversity and distribution of wild crucifer species and their importance for cultivated crucifers was conducted during 2005 and 2006 in the highland and mid-altitude semi-arid areas of Kenya. Thirteen species of wild crucifers in nine genera were recorded: Raphanus raphanistrum, Erucastrum arabicum, Sisymbrium officinale, Crambe kilimandscharica, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Rorippa nudiuscula, Ro. micrantha, Ro. microphylla, Lepidium bonariense, Coronopus didymus, Brassica rapa, B. juncea and an unidentified Brassica species. Highland areas had significantly higher species diversity and species richness than mid-altitude semi-arid areas. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied with season and location. Raphanus raphanistrum was the dominant non-cultivated species in the highlands followed by E. arabicum, which was also present and dominant in the semi-arid study sites. Diamondback moth (DBM) was recorded from ten wild crucifer species and R. raphanistrum and E. arabicum were the preferred host plant species. Overall, four larval, one larval-pupal and one pupal parasitoid of DBM were recorded: Diadegma semiclausum, D. mollipla, Apanteles sp., Cotesia plutellae, Oomyzus sokolowskii and Brachymeria species, respectively. Diadegma semiclausum was the most dominant species on all crucifers. We conclude that wild crucifers act as alternative hosts for DBM and provide refugia for DBM parasitoids, which risk local extinction through pesticide application or competition from introduced exotic parasitoid species. The wild crucifers also act as recolonization sites for DBM parasitoids.

Keywords

species diversityparasitoidsdiamondback mothconservation biological controlcruciferous weedsrecolonizationagro-ecological systems
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 99 , Issue 3 , June 2009 , pp. 287 - 297
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

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