Field studies on the biology and economic importance of <i>Pachnoda interrupta</i> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Mali, west africa

Abstract

Abstract A description is given of the life history, biology and feeding habits of the cetoniine beetle Pachnoda interrupta (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) studied in pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum ) fields in north-west Mali. The third instar larva of this beetle, reared from the progeny of field captured adults, is also described and figured. Yield losses to a range of beetle densities (1–5 and 10 beetles/head) on millet heads have been estimated to range from 9 to 48% in caged trial experiments. The regression equation generated from these data may be used to establish economic injury thresholds and predict losses resulting from varying beetle densities.