Abstract:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is difficult to implement when one knows little about the pest
complex or species causing the damage in an agricultural system. To implement IPM on Sub-
Saharan African melolonthine pests access to taxon specific knowledge (their identity) and what is
known (their biology) of potential pest species is a crucial step. What is known about Sub-Saharan
Africa melolonthine white grubs and chafers has not yet been amalgamated, and this review thus
synthesizes all available literature for the Region. The comprehensive nature of the review
highlights pest taxon trends within African melolonthines. To facilitate the retrieval of this
information for IPM purposes, all relevant taxonomic and biological information is provided for the
taxa covered including an on-line supplementary annotated-checklist of taxon, crop, locality and
reference(s). Based on the literature reviewed, recommendations are made to promote effective
and efficient management of African melolonthine scarab pests. An on-line supplementary
appendix provides a list of specialists, useful internet resources, keys, catalogues and sampling
methods for the larvae and adults of melolonthine scarab beetles for subsequent morphological or
molecular work.
