The Insect Pests of Agriculture in the Coast Province of Kenya II - Cashew

Abstract

There are four main insect pests of cashew and many minor ones. Cashew does not yield a large return per acre and therefore expensive spray programmes are out of the question. Helopeltis can be controlled to a large extent by insecticides, but this is unlikely to prove economic in the case of the peasant farmer and no general recommendation for its control can be made. Cashew-nut weevil and cashew-nut girdler are both increasing in importance on the Kenya coast. They can be adequately controlled by cultural measures, and it is very important that these measures are actively encouraged by the staff of the Agricultural Department; there is no doubt that the effort entailed will be amply rewarded. Pselldoaonidia is potentially a very serious pest, although it is of little importance in areas where cashew densities are fairly low. Control can only be achieved by spraying. and whether this is likely to prove economically sound is at present doubtful. The minor pests of cashew do not normally cause serious damage and no action is recommended against them.