Population dynamics of pod bugs (hemiptera) and their damage on cowpea in Uganda

Field experiments were conducted during the growing seasons of 1999 and 2000 to study the population dynamics of pod bugs (Hemiptera) and their damage on cowpea in Uganda. The study aimed at determining the incidence, abundance and damage caused by pod bugs species on cowpea, b) establishing the relationship between pod bugs species population density and cowpea yield losses and c) determining the population levels of the most damaging pod bugs at which it becomes desirable to institute control measures to avert economic damage. The incidence and abundance of pod sucking bugs was studied using four cowpea varities; 2 local (Ebelat and Icirikukwai) and two introduced (IT82D-716 and SVU-116) varieties. Among the various Hemipteran pests (pod sucking bugs) that are reported to infest cowpea and other leguminous plants, Nezara viridula (L.). Clavigralla tomentosicollis (Stal.), Clavigralla horrida (Stal.), Anoplocenemis curvipes (F.) and Riptortus dentipes (F.) were found on cowpea plants during the growing seasons of 1999 and 2000. The N.viridula and C. tomentosicollis were significantly (P < 0.05) more abundant than the other species found, with N. viridula as the most abundant.