Occurrence and ecological habitat effect on Vitellaria paradoxa (C. F. Gaertn.) parasitism: implication for pest management and plant conservation.

This study determines the prevalence of shea butter tree attack by the African mistletoe and stem borers, explores statistical relationship between prevalence, land use and tree morphological traits. In a the Bohicon shea parklands in Benin, a total of 258 shea butter trees was examined and measured in ten inventory plots in fallows, ten inventories plot in savannah, and ten inventory plots in cropped fields (Agroforestry systems). The classic inference was used to estimate the prevalence of shea trees attacks and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) of the Binomial and Beta families were used, respectively, to model the relationship between the morphological traits and the attack risk, and the relationship between the land uses and the prevalence. The overall prevalence of pest attack in shea butter trees was 28.7% (CI = 23.3-34.7%), with a prevalence of African mistletoe of 24.8% (CI = 19.7-30.5%) and stem borers had attacked 6.2% (CI = 3.6-9.9%). These prevalence rates are lower than what has been reported from other sites before.

Use of Termites by Farmers as Poultry Feed in Ghana.

The aim of the study was to gather information on the use of termites by farmers as feed for indigenous poultry in Ghana and factors affecting its use. We conducted surveys in four regions in Ghana to collect information, by the administration of questionnaires, on the use of termites as poultry feed, termite species collected, species not used and collection methods. Samples of termite species mentioned were collected and identified to the genus level. Twenty-three percent and 19% of farmers mentioned that termites are always or often used to feed poultry whereas 11% never use termites. A binomial regression analysis showed that their utilization was affected by region, sex, education, farm size and income. Termites collected belonged to eight genera, the main ones being Macrotermes, Trinervitermes and Odontotermes. Five collection methods are used to obtain termites and involve either breaking mounds or using containers as traps. Collection methods vary with species and region and the abundance of termite genera varies with season. Farmers identified some species as poisonous to poultry. Termites are important in indigenous poultry production because they are a readily available protein source for local farmers. However, better collection methods need to be developed to aid their optimal use.