|
OceanDocs >
Africa >
Kenya >
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute >
Conference Papers >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/1834/1275
|
| Title: | Biological control of water hyacinth on Lake Victoria, Kenya |
| Authors: | Ochiel, G.R.S.
Mailu, A.M.
Gitonga, W.
Njoka, S.W. |
| ASFA Terms: | Freshwater plants
Aquatic weeds |
| Issue Date: | 1998 |
| Citation: | Proceedings of the Ist IOBC Water Hyacinth Working Group, p. 115-118 |
| Abstract: | The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) imported 12 800 curculionid
weevils (Neochetina spp.) from Benin, Uganda, South Africa and Australia for
biological control of water hyacinth between 1993 and1998. In 1996, KARI’s rearing
and quarantine facility at the National Agricultural Research Centre, Muguga,
provided initial “breeding stock” to another rearing facility at the National Fibre
Research Centre, Kibos, near Lake Victoria. To date, 36 500 weevils and 42 000
weevil eggs have been produced from Kibos. About 2000 weevils were produced
each month from plants grown in plastic basins, galvanized corrugated iron sheet
tanks and a polypropylene rearing pool. Between January 1997 and August 1998,
KARI released 36 250 Neochetina weevils at 27 sites and redistributed 7 800 weevils
along the Kenyan Lake Victoria shoreline. Visual observations and a pre- and post
release sampling protocol have been used to monitor the establishment, spread and
impact of Neochetina weevils on water hyacinth. Weevils are established at 5 sites
and have spread as far as 50 km away from release sites. Preliminary quantitative data
from 5 sites indicate a reduction in leaf length, lamina area and fresh weight at several
sites and general increases in larval mining, feeding scars and adult weevil density. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/1275 |
| Appears in Collections: | Conference Papers
|
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
|
