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Preliminary Findings on Termites (Isoptera) Associated with Cocoa and Coffee Farms in Ghana

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Abstract

Studies were carried out from 1990 to 1993 to identify termite species associated with cocoa and coffee in Ghana. Ten genera/species, belonging to the families Termitidae and Rhinotermitidae, were recorded from cocoa and coffee trees aged from 6 to 36 months. The commonest was Ancistrotermes sp., followed by Amitermes sp., Microtermes subhyalinus, Microtermes sp. and Nasutitermes sp. Others were Macrotermes bellicosus, Pseudacanthotermes sp., Cubitermes sp., Schedorhinotermes putorius and Coptotermes sp. All species except M. bellicosus, Pseudacanthotermes sp. and Cubitermes sp. caused damage to cocoa and / or coffee. The shade tree, Gliricidia sp., was attacked by Pseudacanthotermes sp. whereas Macrotermes bellicosus and Cubitermes sp. were harmless. The relative abundance of these termites is discussed.

Résumé

Depuis 1990 à 1993, des études ont étaient ménées pour identifier des espèces /genres de termites associés au cacao et au café, au Ghana. Dix genres/espèces, membres des familles des Termitidae et Rhinotermitidae ont été identifiés dans les cacaoyers et les caféiers âgés de 6 à 36 mois. Les termites les plus communément rencontrés étaient Ancistrotermes sp., suivis par Amitermes sp., Microtermes subhyalinus, Cubitermes sp., Coptotermes sp. et Schedorhinotermes putorius. Tous ces termites, sauf M. bellicosus, Pseudacanthotermes sp. et Cubitermes sp., causaient des dégâts aux cacaoyers et/ou aux caféiers. Macrotermes bellicosus et Cubitermes sp. étaient inoffensifs tandis que Pseudacanthotermes sp. s’attaquait à Gliricidia sp. qui est arbre utilisé pour l’ombrage dans les champs de cacaoyers et de caféiers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cocoa Research Institute, P. O. Box 8, New Tafo-Akim, Ghana

    Joseph B. Ackonor

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  1. Joseph B. Ackonor
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Ackonor, J.B. Preliminary Findings on Termites (Isoptera) Associated with Cocoa and Coffee Farms in Ghana. Int J Trop Insect Sci 17, 401–405 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400019251

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400019251

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