A Study On The Defoliators Of Some Selected Economic And Ornamental Trees: Citrus (Citrus Species), Tropical Almond (Terminalia Catappa) And Obeche (Nauclea Diderrichii) On The Ground Of Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State

ABSTRACT

The insect pest defoliators of Citrus species, Terminalia Catappa and Nauclea diderrichii on the ground of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Urnudike, Abia State were studied between the months of June to October 2008. Approximately 200 stands of Citrus, 31 stands of Terininalia and 7 stands of Nauclea were used for the study. Ten species of insects belonging to three (3) different Orders were encountered. Of these, the stinging caterpillar (Lepidoptera Megalopycidae), the non- stinging caterpillar of a moth (Lepidoptera) and Papilio demodocus (Lepidoptera; Papilionidae) were found to cause defoliation to the said plants. The stinging caterpillar had the highest average percentage prevalence of 27.86% followed by the non-stinging caterpillar on T.calappa which had 19.17% while Papilio demodocus on citrus had 17.60%. Among other insects encountered which do not defoliate eniirely,Zonocerus variegatus had the average percentage qf 57.20%, Toxopiera aurantii had 62.79%, Aleurocan thus species had 70. 40%,A leuroihrius floccosus had 45.87%, and Phy/iocn islis cure/la had 60.50% respectively.