Pages: (69-77 )
Abstract
The C. forda larvae when processed are cheap alternative protein source for less privileged farmers. The processed larvae are good source of animal feeds, cost effective, with nutritive and commercially viable. Unfortunately, there are entomopathogenic factors depleting their population. Fifteen Individually handpicked larvae from each replicate of indisposed, sluggish and dying or recently dead individual larvae from each site of 10m by 10m quadrat throws were sampled. C. forda larval population handpicked were transferred under sterile condition for pathogenic examination of parasitic agents. The thoracic and abdominal regions of each larva were lacerated using sterile forceps to examine under a dissecting microscope for parasitic microbes. The teased out visceral contents were stained and examined microscopically after placing on a flame to remove air bubbles. The isolates from the larvae were identified. The results revealed Gurara LGA had, two virus- Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) and Granulosis Virus (GV) with (75.5% and 24.5%) respectively and high intensity of occurrence. In Katcha LGA recording four , 44.2% of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) impacted more followed by 29.3% of (Nomeraea rileyi (Nr) and 15.1% of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) with the least of 11.4% of Granulosis Virus (GV) across all the sites.
Keywords: Pathogens, Larval, Population, Field.,