philosophy in the school of pure and applied sciences of kenyatta university A Study on the biology and the impact of natural enemies on the African wild silk moth, Gonometa sp. at Kamaguti, Uasin Gishu District, Kenya

Bonface Ngoka

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The steadily growing demand for silk in all silk consuming countries provides excellent opportunities for any country to venture into wild silk production. In East Africa, 58 wild silk moth species have been found to occur in three lepidopteran families: Saturniidae,Lasiocampidae and Thaumetopoeidae. In Uasin Gishu district, Gonometa sp.(Lasiocampidae) would be ideal for generation of supplementary income to resource-poor I farmers, reduce host plant destruction, promote conservation of the silk moths and at the same time permit positive utilization of these biological resources by the local community .Experiments on the population dynamics of Gonometa species were carried out at Uasin Gishu district using two Acacia plant species (Acacia mearnsii and Acacia hockii). Partial life tables were constructed to evaluate the impact of natural enemies on the population of the Gonometa species.Gonometa sp. caterpillars were found feeding on two abundant host plants namely 'Acacia I mearnsii (Thornless) and Acacia hockii (Thorned). The A. mearnsii maintains green forage throughout the year unlike the A. hockii, which sheds leaves during a dry spell. Thus A. mearnsii could be recommended for mass wild silk cocoon production.The moth's oviposition was bimodal for a year. The moths start emerging during the months of September-October and the life cycle is completed by moths emerging again during the months of March-April. Moths opted laying eggs on two protected environments (Net sleeves and Plastic containers). The incubation period in the two environments was significantly different at p

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