Scientific publications
Jean Messi
Serge Quilici
Other affiliations: Peuplements végétaux et bioagresseurs en milieu tropical
Fruits
Introduction. Ricinodendron heudelotii, a forest seed oil tree, has been domesticated in Cameroon for a few years. Many insect pests feed on this tree. Among them, Diclidophlebia xuani Messi et al. (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) seems to be the most important. In order to identify some natural enemies of this psyllid, an inventory of the arthropods associated with R. heudelotii was carried out. Materials and methods. Samplings were done from 2001 to 2002 in the Yaounde neighbourhood. R. heudelotii vegetal material was collected weekly. This material was examined with a stereomicroscope and arthropods collected. Results and discussion. In addition to the psyllid, numerous phytophagous insects were recorded; among them, the most important are Lepidoptera. Predators and parasitoids of the psyllid and of other phytophagous insects were also recorded. Among the predators of the psyllid, the most important are anthocorids, coccinellids, mirids, syrphids and spiders. Members of the latter group are still unidentified. A few species of parasitoids were also recorded, mainly belonging to the Encyrtidae family.
