Implications of on-farm research for local knowledge related to fruit flies and the weaver ant Oecophylla longinoda in mango production

Sinzogan Antonio Alain Coffi, Van Mele Paul, Vayssières Jean-François. 2008. Implications of on-farm research for local knowledge related to fruit flies and the weaver ant Oecophylla longinoda in mango production. International Journal of Pest Management, 54 (3) : 241-246.

Résumé : We interviewed half of the mango-growers in northern Benin, including 15 farmers involved in a regional fruit fly project, and held focus group discussions with women fruit-pickers. They were asked about pest management and their knowledge of a weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda. All considered low yields due to fruit flies to be the principal constraint upon mango production, estimating economic losses to be between 20 and 45%. None could recognize damage during the first 2 days after fruit fly egg deposition. On-farm research persuaded farmers to stop using insecticides and it also changed negative perceptions of Oecophylla. Over 80% of the farmers involved in on-farm research, compared to 25% of those not involved, reported Oecophylla to be beneficial. All fruit-pickers knew that ants protected mango from fruit flies, with 60% attributing better mango quality in terms of appearance, shelf-life and sweetness to the presence of Oecophylla. Nevertheless, 40% of the pickers still considered weaver ants a nuisance pest during harvest. Ways of reducing this nuisance need to be developed for Oecophylla to gain wider acceptance by mango-growers.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : Oecophylla, Tephritidae, Mangifera indica, lutte biologique, lutte antiravageur, enquête sur les exploitations agricoles, changement technologique, adoption de l'innovation, Oecophylla longinoda

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Bénin

Mots-clés complémentaires : Mouche des fruits

Classification Agris : H10 - Ravageurs des plantes

Champ stratégique Cirad : Axe 1 (2005-2013) - Intensification écologique

Auteurs et affiliations

• Sinzogan Antonio Alain Coffi, UNB (BEN)
• Van Mele Paul, ADRAO (BEN)
• Vayssières Jean-François, CIRAD-PERSYST-UPR Production fruitière (BEN)

Source : Cirad - Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/544964/)

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