A taxonomic review of white grubs and leaf chafers (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae : Melolonthinae) recorded from forestry and agricultural crops in Sub-Saharan Africa

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.