Abstract:
One of the most important limiting factors in crop production is the
incidence of pest attack. Knowledge of pest species associated wiu
particular crops and localities is very important to design effective
control measures. Survey results of specific or general arthropod pests
associated with specific or groups of crops in Ethiopia have been
published in the past (Abraham et al., 1993; Adhanom and Abraham,
1985; Adugna and Kemal, 1985; Barnett et al., 1987; Clark and Crowe,
n.d.; Crowe and Tadesse, 1984; Crowe et al., 1977; De Lotto, 1947-
1950; Gentry, 1965; Hill, 1966; Kemal et al., 1985; McFarlane, 1969;
Million and Bayissa, 1985; Nastasi and Andemeskel, 1968; Sands,
1976; Schmutterer, 1971; Stretch-Lilja, 1977; Tsedeke, 1981; 1982;
1984; 1988; Tsedeke etal., 1982; Walker and Boxall, 1974). However,
most of these are not region-specific and those which are regionspecific
deal with either specific group of pests (Sands, 1976; Barnett
et al., 1987) or are published long ago (Schmutterer, 1971; Hill, 1966)
and therefore it has become necessary to publish new records made
during recent years from surveys carried out in the region(s) and to
review the status of the previously known species.
The objective of this work is thus to give a comprehensive overview
of the arthropod pests associated with crops in the field and in storage
in the western part of Ethiopia, based on surveys made by the authors
mainly during 1984 to 1989 inclusive. To make the work more
complete, references have been made to previous reports mentioned
above. Moreover, attempts have been made to review, as much as
possible, the relevant current literature.
Many of the arthropods collected in the region are not included here
because they are not properly identified. Hence, the list of pests presented in this volume is far from complete, but the authors claim
that it contains relevant and recent information on many of the
prevalent arthropod pest species that occur in the western part of the
country. Hence, it contributes to the knowledge of the arthropod pest
fauna of the country in general and of the region in particular. It is also
expected to be useful for researchers working on insect pests of
agricultural importance.
The first section of this bulletin contains lists of pest species and notes
on their host range and economic importance. Insect families, genera
and species are arranged in alphabetical order and are in accordance
with the current usage by the Commonwealth Institute of Entomology
(CIE). Common name(s), where possible, are given immediately
following the scientific name; where no common names existed,
proposed common names are given and these are identified by
asterisks . Most proposed common names are adapted from Tsedeke
(1988). Synonyms are provided in parentheses when available. The
second section contains pest and host index.
