Evaluation of different substrates on the life history parameters of African palm weevil, Rhynchophorous phoenicis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Ghana

Abstract

AbstractAfrican palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) larvae are widely consumed in Ghana and most countries in Africa because of their high-quality protein and low greenhouse gas emissions than conventional livestock. However, the consumption of the larvae is hindered by the identification of viable agricultural by-products or artificial diets for production. To address this challenge, Rhynchophorus phoenicis was evaluated on three substrates, namely cassava, sugarcane, and palm yolk, to determine the fecundity and hatchability of eggs. Completely Randomized Design was used to assign substrates with four replications each. Overall, adults reared on palm yolk laid average of 76.2 eggs while the cassava and the sugarcane substrate recorded averages of 73.0 eggs and 63.3 eggs, respectively. This result exhibited a significant difference between the substrates. The egg hatchability of adults reared on cassava was comparable to those fed on a natural host (palm yolk). Cassava can be used as substitute for the production of adult African palm weevil.

Keywords

• African palm weevil larvae
• substrates
• fecundity
• egg hatchability