Establishment of the Presence of Moth: Niphograpta albiguttalis (Warner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Biological Control Agent of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Waterways of Lagos and Ogun States, Southwestern Nigeria

摘要

Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi (weevils), biological control agents of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes were released on the waterways of the following West African countries: Ghana, Benin and Nigeria to curtail the menace of water hyacinth in this region. Releases were made in 1994, 1991 and 1993 for N. eichhorniae, respectively and 1994, 1992 and 1995 for N. bruchi, respectively. These weevils became successfully established in these countries. But for an achievement of sufficient control a moth Niphograpta albiguttalis another biological control agent was released only in Ghana in 1996 and in Benin in 1993 excluding Nigeria, to complement the damage caused by the weevils but this moth did not become successfully established in these countries. Without record of release of this moth in Nigeria however, in 2009 the larvae of this moth were found damaging water hyacinth in the infested waterways of Badagry, Ejirin and Epe in Lagos State and Iwopin in Ogun State. The larval instars found were damaging only water hyacinth with bulbous petioles. The larval developmental periods ranged between 10-15 days (n = 3).