Notes on Parotis baldersalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) as edible caterpillar occurring on Tabernaemontana crassa Plum. ex L. (Apocynaceae) at Plateaux Bateke, in Gabon

Abstract

Observations on the occurrence of Parotis baldersalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Tabernaemontana crassa. Plum. ex L. (Apocynaceae) were carried out from edge bosquet forests near Leconi, Edjouangoulou, Odjouma and Ossouélé villages, in Plateaux Batéké on november 2021, in Gabon. A first part of the study was focused on field assessment of this insect prevalence on it wild host plant, and it use by local residents. The second part aimed to rear some larvae at the Crop Protection Laboratory, University of Sciences and Technologies of Masuku (INSAB/USTM), in order to make a correct species identification from adults. Results revealed 100% of trees with infestation characterized by global defoliation on both high and small plants. Local people reconnized to eat and appreciate caterpillar and chrysalid stages of this insect each year. Incidence occured from larval feeding behavour consisting on rolling dorsally leaf edge, gnawing parachyma and turning foliage to a brown appearance followed often by wilting and leaf dropping. One to tree young larvae could be observed per leaf at early attack stage, but a single one for final larval instars. Attacks were limited on leaves burning, so that host plants refolation was observed some weeks later. Laboratoty rearing allow emergence of female and male adults of P. baldersalis, and one relate Ichneumonid parasitoid. Further studies are to be conducted in order to assess both the insect life cycle among this environment, and it nutrtionnal value.