Study on the Biology of Calidea spp. (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), an Insect Pest of Jatropha curcas in South-Sudanian Zone of Burkina Faso

Jatropha curcas Linne is a nonedible oleaginous plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. Its seeds provide oil for industrial use, such as biofuels, and contribute to the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in rural areas. J. curcas is attacked by many insect pests, including Calidea spp., a heteropteran pest of its fruit and flowers. This insect was surveyed from May 2013 to January 2014 in the Sissili province of southern Burkina Faso. Calidea spp. were collected from J. curcas plantations within a radius of 15 km around the Leo township and bred in the laboratory under similar conditions. The mean ratio of fertility was 20.3% and the mean fecundity was 132 eggs. The biological cycle of the insect is composed of one egg stadium, five larval instars, and one adult stadium. Egg incubation took 6.2-8.3d, and the five larval instars lasted between 27.1 and 30.1 d. The average life span of Calidea spp. adults was 114.6d for females and 98.1d for males. The female had an average size of 17.6mm against 16.6mm for the male. These findings are the first reported on this insect pest in Burkina Faso.