(a) Identify specimens K and L.
Specimen K; Specimen L;
(b) List three crops commonly attacked by each of specimens K and L
(c) State three types of damage to crops caused by each of specimens K and L.
(d) Mention two ways of controlling each of specimens K and L 4 marks]
Explanation
(a) ldentification of specimens K and L
- Specimen K- Rhinoceros beetle
- Specimen L - Rat
(b) Crops commonly attacked by specimens K and L
Specimen K (Rhinoceros beetle)
- Oil palm
- Rafia palm
- Coconut plam
- Yam
- Cocoyam
- Banana
Specimen L- Rat
- Cassava
- Vegetables
- Oil palm
- Groundnut
- Banana
- Yam/cocoyam/sweet potatoes
- Cereal grains (stored or field)
(c) Damage caused by specimens K and L beetle Damage caused by specimen K (Rhinoceros
- Burrows into farm produce.
- Reduces the quality of farm produce.
- Burrows into the developing spear of the oil palm or other palms.
- Damages the growing point of young palms
- Wounds serve as entry points for secondary infection
- May cause young plants to break/fall/lodge.
Damage caused by specimen K (Rat);
- Eats young plants such as young oil palm, Cereals, and groundnuts.
- Destroys the roots of crops when it burroWs and causes them to lodge.
- Eats up roots and tubers of crops.
- Eats up vegetables on the farm.
- Reduces the quality of produce.
- Wounds serve as entry points for secondary infection
- Contaminates produce with faeces and urine.
- Reduces yields of crops.
(d) Ways of controlling specimen K (Rhinocerous beetle) and L (Rat)
Control of specimen K (Rhinocerous beetle);
- By hand-picking.
- By use of insecticide.
- Destroy felled palms and stumps by burning.
- Biological - use known natural enemies to control them
Control of specimen K (Rat);
- By setting traps.
- By using repellents.
- Rat-proofing.
- By poisoning/use of rodenticides.
- Biological - using predators such as cats and dogs.