A Survey on the Diversity of Field Insect Pests of Okro (Abelmoschus Esculentus) within the Six ADP Zones in Akwaibom State

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine the diversity and abundance of insect pests associated with okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) across the six Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones in Akwa Ibom state namely; Uyo, Abak, Eket, Ikot ekpene, Etinan and Oron using multi – stage random sampling technique, swoop nets for flying insects, aspirators for collecting tiny insects, pair of forceps and hand picking for larvae and slow moving insects. A total of 634 insects were collected across the six zones and identified into 4 orders, 13 families and 15 species. The dominant order by specie was Hemiptera having (6/40%) followed by Lepidoptera (4/26.67%), Coleoptera  (3/20%) and the least was Orthoptera having (2/13.33%) while dominant order by individuals was Coleoptera having 279/44.01%), followed by Hemiptera (244 /38.49%), Lepidoptera (68/10.73%) and the least was Orthoptera (43/6.78%). Dominant insect specie across the six zones was Flea beetle (Podagrica sp.) with total population of 185 followed by Aphids (Aphis gossypii - 98) and the least was Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni – 7). Diversity index result showed that Eket zone had the highest no. of individuals (122) with the least no. of  species (12) and least Shannon index value (H_ 2.11) followed by Oron zone with 112 individuals, no. species (13) and shannon index ( H_2.31). Uyo zone had the least no. of individuals (93), no. species (13) and Shannon index (H_2.21) while Ikot ekpene zone had the highest Shannon index value (H_2.34) and highest no. of species (14) with no. of individual (101). This study reveals that there is high diversity and abundance of insect species attacking okra in Akwa Ibom State hence drastic control measures is imperative for successful and profitable production of Okra.