Abstract:
Ethiopian entomofauna is studied quite inadequately even as compared
to the neighboring African countries. This is particularly true for hilly and
lowland areas. Nothing is known about the structure of entomological
complexes, their biotopic distribution, preimaginal stages, and ecology and
phenology of species, even those which are of great practical interest. The
identification most groups of Ethiopian insect fauna is presently associated
with rather great difficulties. Meanwhile, studying Ethiopian entomofauna is
not only of general scientific, but also of great practical significance, ;n view
of the intensive development of new agricultural lands which is related to
plant protection issues.
In November-December 1986, we carried out an entomological survey
of a territory near the city of Gambela and the town of Abobo (the
Baro-Akobo interfluve, Illubabor Administrative District, South-West
Ethiopia) where a broad-scale construction of irrigation system and
agricultural development of virgin land were planned. The survey was aimed
at studying a general insect fauna composition, its biotopic distribution,
major agricultural dominants ind pests, ecology, tropic relations, and
preimaginal stages of basic species. Based on the above, an attempt was
made to establish the existing structure of entomological complexes and
work out a preliminary prediction of its possible change under conditions of
the proposed agricultural development.Short duration of our field exercises, were besides carried out in the
dry season, complicated the task posed. Nevertheless, we succeeded in
obtaining quite abundant information on a number of insect groups. One
should emphasize a special importance of the faunal lists of leading insect
groups since it is these lists that form the required basis for future solution
of the majority of applied problems. Processing of materials collected
allowed to make up the lists for Cerambycidae, Meloidae and Rhopalocera
(see articles in the present book); data on Orthoptera, Hemiptera and
Coleoptera are being finalized.
