Contribution to knowledge of arthropod fauna associated with Ricinodendron heudelotii Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) in Cameroon.

摘要

Ricinodendron heudelotii, a forest oilseed tree, has been domesticated in Cameroon for a few years. Many insect pests feed on this tree. Among them, Diclidophlebia xuani appears to be the most important. To identify some natural enemies of this psyllid, an inventory of the arthropods associated with R. heudelotii was carried out. Sampling was conducted from 2001 to 2002 in the Yaounde neighbourhood. R. heudelotii biomass was collected weekly. This material was examined with a stereomicroscope and arthropods were collected. In addition to the psyllid, numerous phytophagous insects were recorded, among which the most important were Lepidoptera species. Predators and parasitoids of the psyllid and of other phytophagous insects were also recorded. Among the predators of the psyllid, the most important were anthocorids [Anthocoridae], coccinellids [Coccinellidae], mirids [Miridae], syrphids [Syrphidae] and spiders. Members of the latter group are still unidentified. A few species of parasitoids were also recorded, mainly belonging to the Encyrtidae family. In spite of the diversity of entomophagous arthropods recorded on R. heudelotii, their impact on psyllid populations appeared to be weak..