Diversity of floricultural insects of five sesame varieties (sesamum indicum l.) in northern Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)

Background: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) represents an important cash crop in many countries of West Africa. It is increasingly cultivated in the north of Côte d'Ivoire and can reproduce by self-pollination or cross-pollination. This latter case involving pollinating insects. Unfortunately, little entomological studies concerning the diversity of floricultural insects have been devoted to this crop. Methods: This study aims to determine the diversity of floricultural insects on five sesame varieties grown in the north of Cote d'Ivoire. The methodology was based on observation, capture and identification of insects visiting the flowers. It was consisted also to assess insects’ activity in order to determine their foraging effectiveness. Results: The results showed that all sesame varieties were visited by a large diversity of insects. Hymenoptera were the most abundant order on the varieties SI 097, SI 100, SI 129 and SI 143 while, Orthoptera were more abundant on a single variety SI 099. The calculated indices showed that the variety SI 143 was the most diverse (H’ = 1.79) with a more equitable distribution of floricultural insects (E = 0.92). Bee activity was mostly intense on the varieties SI 097, SI 100, SI 129 and SI 143 with a maximum peak of activity between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. As for the locusts, their activity was mostly intense on the variety SI 099 with a maximum peak of activity between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. The foraging speed of bees was higher than that of other insect groups. Conclusion: The findings on the diversity of sesame floricultural insects are very relevant because they allow to consider a study on their impact on fruit production. Also, determining the diversity of insects on several sesame varieties makes it possible to manage entomological issues related to pollination; which could lead to a varietal selection.