Farmer management practices of citrus insect pests in Kenya

Abstract

A formal citrus insect pest survey was conducted in two citrus growing districts of Kenya, Bungoma and Machakos, to determine important insect pests of citrus and evaluate the pest control practices used by small-scale farmers. Observations were made on the insect pestsand theirdamage, methods of pest control practiced, pesticide products used,sources of farming knowledge and how decisions to control the insect pests. Farmers identified important pests as aphids (Toxoptera citricidus Kirkaldy), psyllids(Triozaerytreae Del Guercio), citrus black flies (Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby), false codling moths(Cryptophlebialeucotreta), soft green scales (Coccus viridis Green), citrus woolly whiteflies(Aleurothrixus flocossus Maskell), mites (Phyllocoptruta oleivora McGregor), fruit flies (Ceratitis spp), leaf miners(Phyllocnitis citrella Stainton),and orange dogs(Papillio demodocus) in decreasing order of importance. Farmers’ management practices includedindigenous traditional knowledge and mainly pesticides. Farmers mainly used their own experience and that of their neighbours to decide on what to use and when to deal with the insect pest situations. Current insect pest management practices by citrus farmers are inadequate to deal with insect pest and disease situations within farms. These findings have an implication in the spread and management of huanglongbing disease (HLB) and citrus tristeza vectored by psyllids and aphids, respectively.