First Report of Plutella xylostella Linn. (Lepidoptera:Yponomeutidae) as a Pest of Stored Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria
DOI:36108/NJE/3002/02.0111
OPARAEKE, A.M., DIKE, M.C. and AMATOBI, C.I.
ABSTRACT: Cashew, Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) is a hardy, drought and termite resistant tree. The nutshell contains a caustic oil known as cashew nut shell oil which is dark colored, viscous and poisonous with two phenolic compounds cardol (10%) and anacardic acid (90%) as the major active principles. The most important insect pests of cashew tree include, Pachnoda spp (cashew pseudo-apple scrapper), Helopeltis spp. (Capsid bugs) and Paranaleptes reticulata (stem girdler). Reports on insect pests of stored cashew nut seed are scanty. Diamond back (Plutella xylostella L. Yponomeutidae) a moth, normally a field pest of mainly curcurbits was observed to attack stored cashew nut seed in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria.