Survey of Storage Pests of Shelled Melon (Citrullus vulgaris) Schrad, in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

 Melon, Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. (Curcubitaceae) is a vine-like herb with stems, which are slender and hairy. Its seeds are extracted, dried and then stored. Some stored shelled melon samples were collected fortnightly from Markets in Benin City. The survey showed a variety of insect pests, which reduce the quality of the products by feeding, reproducing and excreting in it. A study of these pests revealed that they belong to the order Coleoptera and Arachnida. The Coleopterans included. Oryzaephilus mercator, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, and Tenebroides mauritanicus while the Arachnids included the Tyroglyphus species Glycyphagus species. Although Psocopterans and lymenooteran were also identified in the melon samples, studies revealed that their rates of causing damage were minute compared with the Copeoptera and Arachnida. Their status of occurrence and amount of damage are discussed.