PARENT SESSION
Contributed Oral Session 46: Predator - Prey Ecology: Communities and Environmental Impacts
Tuesday, August 9, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Meeting Room 519 B, Level 5, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Ecological study of populations of Zonocerus variegatus ( L. ) with special reference to natural enemies in Benin.

Armand, Paraiso^*,1, Agnès, Thomas-Odjo¹, ¹ University of Parakou, Parakou, Bénin

ABSTRACT- The population dynamic of dry and rainy season generations of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) were studied. Various natural enemies of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) were recorded at different sites. These parasites included eutrombidiid mites, the calliphorid fly Blaesoxipha filipjevi (Bois) and mermithid nematodes. Pathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Balsano, Vuillemin), Metarhizium anisopliae var.acridum, Entomophaga grylli (Fresenius) Batko and several other pathogens have been isolated. A high level of parasitism by B. Filipjevi up to 25% was recorded in many localities. E. grylli is shown as an important regulatory factor (up to 95%) of populations of the variegated grasshopper in Benin. Several strains of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae and other grasshoppers pathogens were isolated.

Key words: Ecological studies, Zonocerus variegatus (L.),, natural enemies