Diversity of populations of predators and parasitoids of insect pests of millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in far north region of Cameroon

To develop a biological control method of fight, an inventory of predators and parasitoids of insect pests of millet was conducted in one agro-ecological zones in far North region of Cameroon (Sudanian, Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian). The predateurs and parasitoids was trap using a sweep net was performed every two weeks on a site (Maroua). This study, which focused on diversity of populations of predators and parasitoids of insect pests of millet production, was conducted in the Far North of Cameroon in the Meskine agroecosystem. The aim was to determine the biological diversity of predators and parasitoids of insect pests of millet in this area. A system consisting of two plots containing two varieties of millet (CHACKTI and SL28) was adopted. One plot contained the CHACKTI variety and the second plot consisted of the SL28 variety with an area of 16 m in length and 10 m in width for each plot. Insects were captured using sweep nets in each elementary plot on the phenological stages of millet, from the 15th day after sowing until harvest. This insect collection method consisted of mowing the insects along the elementary plots, i.e. 50 mowings per elementary plot. These collections of predators and parasitoids of insect pests on the two millet varieties tested allowed us to observe the dynamics of predators and parasitoids of insect pests at the different phenological stages of millet, and to gain insight into their abundance. The results obtained on biological diversity showed that the predator Araneus sp. visited the CHACKTI and SL28 varieties. Regarding dynamics of predators and parasitoids of insect pests, a variation in the number was observed depending on the different phenological stages of millet. These results allow us to confirm that several predators and parasitoids of insect pests inhabit the Meskine agroecosystem; they are dynamic and cause considerable damage to millet production. The results of this study indicate a potential biological control against insect pests of millet using predators and parasitoids. This potential should be developed to manage the yield losses caused by insect pests of millet.