Severe Damage of Moringa Oleifera Lam. Leaves by Ulopeza Phaeothoracica Hampson (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Ungogo Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria: A Short Communication

Abstract

The work was carried out at a location (11⁰ 58`N and 8<sup>0</sup>26`E) in Ungogo Local Government area of Kano State, Nigeria with objective of identifying an unfamiliar larva feeding on Moringa leaves and to describe its nature of damage. The leaf feeding larvae were sampled and reared through to pupation and to adulthood in the Entomology laboratory, Crop Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State. The adults that emerged were identified to be
Ulopeza phaeothoracica Hampson. On the larval feeding, it was observed that damage caused was very severe on a heavily infested young Moringa tree at the study location. In conclusion, the study revealed that U. phaeothoracica is a leaf feeding pest of M. oleifera and that its activity could be of serious concern especially on young trees of Moringa, kept under poor management conditions.

Keywords: Damage, Moringa, Ungogo, Kano