Efficacy of Ogiri produced from Mesquite seed as bait in trapping of insects in a fallow plot in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation was made on the insect fauna in a fallow plot at the temporary site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka using pitfall traps. The study was carried out for a period of seven weeks in the months of June and July 2013. The pitfall traps were baited using Ogiri (food condiment) made from mesquite seed. A total of 193 adult insects were captured. The results showed that out of the six insect orders captured, Hymenoptera recorded the highest number of insects (142) while Dermaptera had the least number of insects (5). Twelve families and fourteen species were found to be associated with the pitfall traps baited with Ogiri from mesquite seed. The bait attracted the highest number of insects from the family Formicidae (120) followed by the family Eurytomidae (16), while the family Calliphoridae (1) had the least number of insect.

Keywords: Efficacy, Ogiri, Mesquite seed, Pitfall trap, Insects