Abstract

The Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis Krauss is a major pest in Sahel of West Africa. The present work reports the insect distribution and cultural techniques influence within two Senegalese localities. Methodology used is based on sampling and density estimates for a comprehensive study of Senegalese grasshopper in natural environment. Adult density was evaluated by visual counting on 100 m paths and larva density by counting one hundred sample surfaces of one square meter each. Sampling was conducted in fields of millet, bean, groundnut and fallows. The research work was performed for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008. The Senegalese grasshopper distribution depends on biotope type, rainfall intensity and year. Its density was estimated monthly between 2 and 30 individuals per square meter. Larva density was significantly more abundant in fallow field than other fields. Crop rotation reduced density of Senegalese grasshopper and fallows favor the presence of the insect. These data suggest that field, rainfall intensity has an important effect of O. senegalensis distribution.

Key words: Oedaleus senegalensis, density, cultures, rotation, fallow.