Leaf Defoliators Associated with Cordia africana Lam. in Ethiopia

Cordia africana grows in the Middle East and Africa. It is a multipurpose tree with several groups of insect pests that affect the seeds, fruits and leaves of this species. The aim of this study was to identify the causative agent responsible for leaf defoliation in Raya Azebo District and Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resource in Ethiopia. Two leaf defoliators viz. Dictyla poecilla and Compseuta brevicarinata were found associated with leaves of C. africana that were raised in Facha Gama Research Station and Wondo Genet, respectively. The insects were limited to different geographical areas and higher rate of defoliation was recorded in Facha Gama than in Wondo Genet. This is the first report on C. africana hosting D. poecilla and C. brevicarinata.