Bi Nady Delphin Fouha¹, Bi Irié Arsène Zoro^1,

The demographical traits and damage from two pest insects (Asbecesta cyanipennis and Lamprocopa occidentalis) feeding on the bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) were assessed on farm in Manfla (Center Ivory Coast). Two accessions (tolerant and susceptible) were observed in monoculture and in intercropping, during the first cropping season of 2018. The insect main development stages, the extent of plant organ attacks, and yield components of the cucurbit were assessed. Results indicated that L. occidentalis accomplishes its life cycle on bottle gourd, suggesting that the insect satisfies both its reproductive and food needs on this plant. A. cyanipennis whose eggs and larvae have not been observed on bottle gourd, appeared as an opportunistic herbivorous on this plant. Both insects feed on all parts of the bottle gourd (leaf, flower, and fruit), with up to 50% damaged leaves, depending on accession type, plant growth stage, and cropping system. Foliar damage caused by the studied insects was greater on the susceptible accession, particularly at the tendril stage and in monoculture. The control of L. occidentalis is thus a challenge for sustainable protection of bottle gourd against pest insects. To address this challenge, intercropping could give satisfactory results in terms of leaf damage reduction and yield gain.

Asbecesta cyanipennis, bottle gourd, feeding damage, live cycle, Lagenaria siceraria, Lamprocopa occidentalis, yield loss