Distribution and occurrence of some cotton stainers (Heteroptera: Insecta) on different host plants at Masongaleni Machakos District, Kenya

Abstract

Dysdercus fasciatus and D. cardinalis were studied in the field to ascertain their occurrence and relative abundance on different host plants at Masongaleni near Kibwezi, Machakos District, Kenya. It was carried out using a complete randomized block with four replicates. It was shown that D. cardinalis occurred more commonly on its wild host plants than D. fasciatus. D. cardinalis was also commonly found feeding on Sterculia spp. on which D. fasciatus was not recorded during these studies. Neither species was recorded from baobab trees.