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(Now covering all crops) |
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INTRODUCTIONIntroductionUntil recently only limited information was available on crop pests occurring in northern Namibia. The international handbooks on pests include only a few species that are common in the area. The Directorate of Extension and Engineering Services in North Central Division therefore decided to provide new pest information and produce this training manual.The purpose of the training manualThe aim is to provide a training manual to aid identification of pests on field crops in Namibia.
Area coveredThe training manual is focused on crop pests in four of Namibia's northern regions: Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto. Two important crop-growing regions (Kavango and Caprivi) could not be covered due to limited staff resources and a lack of information on pests occurring there.Selection of cropsMost field crops are grown under rain-fed conditions in Namibia and comprise a few staples. For this training manual it was decided to focus on pearl millet, sorghum, maize, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and cucurbits (melons). These crops are grown by most communal farmers in Namibia. During the field trips, however, pest samples were collected from all crops, such as field crops, vegetables, fruit trees and wild plants.The pest collectionsMost pests were collected during extensive field trips in the four regions from January to May 1998. Hard insects were pinned and dried, while soft specimens were preserved in spirit or Pampel’s fluid. Live specimens of caterpillars and maggots were reared in small jars in order to get samples of the adult stage for identification. All samples were labelled with information on site, region, date, crop and the collectors’ name. Where possible, a large number of specimens were preserved so there would be enough for identification, and to make training collections.At present, one reference collection is kept at the office of Directorate of Extension and Engineering Services, Ongwediva and a similar collection is kept at the National Museum, Windhoek. About 70 species were investigated, although not all are kept in the collections. Selection of pests for the training manualIt was decided to include all species that are common in the fields, even if they are not major pests or their pest status may be doubtful. Extension staff and farmers should be able to recognise all of these. To make the training manual more useful, a few common diseases and parasitic weeds were included, because farmers consider these as pests. Pests are listed according to the time they appear in each crop.Some important pests are not included in the manual. Examples of such pests are: rodents (rats and mice), birds, grasshoppers and locusts and termites. There was not enough time and information on these pests to include them at present. Identification of pestsAll identifications were performed by the National Museum of Namibia and the National Botanical Research Institute (Namibia) in order to get correct scientific names on the specimens. Where identification was not possible in Namibia, samples were sent elsewhere for identification.Pest namesEach pest is listed with its scientific name and the common names in English, Afrikaans and local languages (Oshiwambo). There are seven dialects in north central Namibia: Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Oshikwambi, Oshimbalantu, Oshingandjera, Oshikholonkadhi, Oshikwaluudhi. In this manual, the word "Oshiwambo" is only used, when most dialects use the same name for a pest.PhotographsThe aim was to use Namibian photos wherever possible. In a few cases, photos were not available and other sources were used. All other photos were produced in Namibia byA. Larsen and E. Marais. Numerous photos were taken in the field and studio before selecting suitable illustrations. They were then scanned and treated with image editing software. The photos now include more than 300 individual files. These are available free of charge for non-commercial use. Pest statusA red sign (*) indicates that this species is considered an important pest for communal farmers but the pest status of most species is not well understood yet and few data are available on yield losses or other aspects of damage.Pest descriptionsEarly in the process, extension staff requested more pest information in the training manual. It was then decided to compile a description sheet (data sheet) for each species. The descriptions include information from a range of other publications.Control methodsIn this manual, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is followed rather than just giving advice on the use of chemicals. So little is known about the pests, their behaviour in Namibia and the damage they may cause, that it is recommended to be cautious with chemical control.All methods that may reduce the damage caused by pests are used for Integrated Pest Management. Such methods may include traditional methods, biological control, the use of alternative varieties (cultivars) of plants, changing planting and harvesting practices, appropriate use of pesticides (chemical control), and many others. Integrated Pest Management therefore makes use of all accumulated knowledge about a pest, and do not depend on a single approach to control. At time of printing advice on appropriate chemical control was still awaited for many pests as it depended not only on the best products to use, but also on whether it is available to the average Namibian farmer. In the few cases where chemical control seems necessary, please contact the FSRE pest officers for precise advice on chemical control. The contact numbers and addresses are listed below. InternetAll pest information may eventually be presented on the National Museum's Internet website: http://www.natmus.cul.na/pests Check this site regularly for pest information.
AcknowledgementsMany people and institutions have contributed to this manual by providing specimens, information, identification, guidance, translation and encouragement.The pest work group:
Oswald Mwanyangapo Silverius T. Ekandjo Eugene Marais Berthold Wohlleber Esmerialda Klaassen Wolfgang Lechner Menno Keizer Janthien Zuurbier Bianca Rusch Ashley Kirk-Spriggs
Helen Iiyambo, Ongwediva Oswin Mukulu, Ongwediva Klaus Fleissner, Mahenene Ndilimeke N. Immanuel, Eenhana Monika N. Moses, Tsandi ARDC Nangula Prucheria Iipinge, Eunda ARDC Festus Negumbo, Eunda ARDC Kaunapawa Elindi, Okalongo ARDC Charlie Mwaetako, Ongwediva ARDC Victor Endjala, Ongwediva ARDC Efraim Weyulu, Eenhana ARDC Ndinelao N. Weyulu, Ondobe ARDC Haaveshe Nekongo-Nielsen, UNAM Else Lechner, WAD, Mahenene Etunda Irrigation Project Paul Hindmarsh, NRI, UK Erik Jessen, Onankali Nursery Nestor Haufiku, Okashana ARDC Beniki Shipuata, Onkani ARDC Erastus Nuuyoma, Oshigambo ARDC Trans-Obed M. Hangulah, Ongenga ARDC Tyapa Martin, Omafo ARDC A. Iipinge, Onaanda ARDC L. Endjala, Ongwediva ARDC Dr. E. Minja, ICRISAT, Malawi Henrik Lerdorf, FATPP, Ongwediva Dr. Francois Blanc, NOLIDEP, Ongwediva Dr. Philippe Talavera, NNRDP, Ongwediva Cornelia Gerbitz, Germany Contact addresses for the manual:Mr. Oswald MwanyangapoDirectorate of Extension and Engineering Services, Private Bag 5556, Oshakati Namibia Tel: (065) 230284 Fax: (065) 230447 Mr. Eugéne Marais
Directorate of Extension and
Engineering Services Ms. Esmerialda Klaassen
Mr. Arne Larsen
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