Population Dynamics of Selected Cowpea Insect Pests As Influenced by Different Management Practices In Eastern Uganda

African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 7. No. 4, pp. 487-495, 1999 Population Dynamics of Selected Cowpea Insect Pests As Influenced by Different Management Practices In Eastern Uganda Code Number: CS99039 ABSTRACT: Population dynamics of the cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora), bud thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti), legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata), and pod sucking bugs were studied at three sites in eastern Uganda. The management practice which combined early planting, close spacing and minimum insecticide application (spraying once at budding, flowering and podding stages) was the most effective in reducing all pest infestations followed by sole foliar sprays. Seed dressing reduced aphid infestation but increased infestations of thrips, Maruca and pod sucking bugs to levels even higher than in the control. In comparison to the control, intercropping reduced pest infestations of all the pests but was not as effective as the other control measures. KEYWORDS: Aphids, combined control measures, foliar sprays, intercropping, legume pod borer, pod sucking bugs, seed dressing, thrips Copyright 1999, African Crop Science Societ