Preliminary studies on insect pest incidence on tomato in Bama, Borno State, Nigeria

This study assessed the insect pest infestation of tomato during 2011 and 2012 in three localities namely Bula Kuliye, Kajeri and Soye of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria. Fifty plants were randomly checked per farmers’ field for insect pest recovery and count. Sampling was carried out in five to nine farmers’ fields per locality. With 38-52 %, 9-62 %, 13-39 % and 5-9 % species composition respectively across localities, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) followed by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) were more predominant insect pests of tomato in these localities over Tetranychus sp. (Acari: Tetranichidae) and Spodoptera litoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Total proportion of infested tomato plants per farmers’ field ranged from 19-36 %, and was significantly higher in Bula Kuliye and Kajeri than in Soye. Total number of insect pests per plant/leave and bored fruits per farmers’ field fell between 2-5 and 21-35, and likewise, was higher in Bula Kuliye and Kajeri than in Soye. Although tomato plant infestation and fruit damage were found to be moderate or high in these localities, future studies on the bionomics or population dynamics of these insects remain essential for establishing their economic status.