Insect Species and Description of Damage Caused on Okra, Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.)Moench

Abstract

A survey of the insect pests of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus {L.) Moe'nch, was conduoted during the three growing seas'Ons in 1974, namely early, mid and late seasons. Observatio'ns showed that every part of this vegetable crop was attacked. The major leaf-feeders were Podagrica sjostedti Jac. (Coloeptera; Halticinae), P. rmiforma Jac. (Coleoptera; Halticitllae), Sylepta derogata Fallen (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) and major green and dry fruit-feeders included Dysdercus voelkeri Schmidt, fOl1ITlerly D. superstitiosus F. (Hemiptera; Pyrrhocoridae), Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa. (Hernipter: a; Lygaeidae), O. gossypinus Dist. (Hemiptera Lygaeidae), Chloridea armigera Hubner, f.ormerly Heliothis armigera Hb. (Lepidoptera; N octuidae), Earias cupreoviridis Wlk. (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae), E. biplaga Walk. (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae), E. insulana Boisd ~Lepidoptera; Nootuidae). The species recorded on the flower were the Pachnoda spp. and Myiabris spp. While the stem feeders inolude Alcidodes crassirostris Thoms (Coleoptera; Curculionidae) and Hypolixus nubilosus Bob (Coleoptera; Curoulionidae).