SURVEY OF INSECT PEST INFESTATION OF PLANTS IN KANO ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A total of 48 plant individuals were examined, while 68 insect individuals were recorded. The major insect pests identified included aphids, ants, termites, caterpillars, grasshoppers, scale insects, and darkling beetles. The Herbivore and Garden sections recorded the highest insect pest abundance, while the Carnivore section had the lowest. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), Lantana camara, and Neem (Azadirachta indica) were found to be the most vulnerable plant species to insect attack. The mean insect density, calculated as the total number of insects divided by the number of plants examined, was 1.42 insects per plant, indicating a moderate level of infestation.
The study concludes that insect pest infestation varies among plant species and across different sections of Kano Zoological Garden, largely influenced by plant characteristics and environmental conditions. It is recommended that regular monitoring and integrated pest management strategies be adopted to reduce pest infestation and maintain plant health.
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