Variation in numbers of two species of rice pests, the Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus and Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops, in the Grand-Bassam wetland, Ivory Coast

Regular censuses of two rice pests were conducted in natural habitats and rice fields in the Grand-Bassam wetland. In the natural habitats there was a greater presence of Quelea erythrops from June to August with a peak in July, and numbers of Ploceus cucullatus were highest from June to October. In the rice fields, Q. erythops numbers were highest during the major rice seasons and lowest during the minor rice seasons, with highest numbers during sowing, spike development and maturation of the rice. Numbers of P. cucullatus in the rice fields were high during both major and minor rice seasons, and the species was mainly present from spike development to harvest. The distribution of both species was influenced by the field size and the varieties grown. However, only Q. erythrops numbers were influenced by plot location and date of spike emergence.

Automated summary

A study conducted in the Grand-Bassam wetland found that the presence of Quelea erythrops and Ploceus cucullatus in natural habitats and rice fields was influenced by season and rice growth stage. The distribution of both species was affected by field size and rice varieties, with only Quelea erythrops numbers being influenced by plot location and date of spike emergence.