Azygophleps albovittata Bethune-Baker (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) attacking groundnuts in northern Nigeria, with descriptions of the immature and imaginal stages

Abstract

AbstractThe cossid moth Azygophleps albovittata Bethune-Baker is recorded for the first time as a pest of groundnuts in northern Nigeria. This is the first food-plant record for the species and, as groundnuts were only introduced into Africa 400 to 500 years ago, there must be at least one indigenous host-plant. The larval, pupal and imaginal stages are described and figured. Attacks by larvae of this moth appear to be confined to crops on sandy and gravelly soils, as groundnuts grown on lateritic soils at Samaru are not affected. Larvae cause massive damage to the crown of the plant, but attacks are highly localised and never affect more than 20% of plants. As larvae diapause throughout the dry season, crop rotation may prove to be an effective means of control.