Journal Article

Study Of The Insect Pests Of Storage Fish In Lapai And Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The insect pests that infest stored smoked fish in Lapai and Minna Metropolis markets, Niger State, Nigeria were studied between May 2017 and July 2017. Smoked samples of Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus, Citharinus citharus and Synodontis spp. were collected from Badeggi, Lapai main market and Efu - gwaja within Lapai metropolis, and Kure market, Mobile market, Gwari market, and Chanchaga market within Minna metropolis. Three (3) major insect pests, two resident pest - golden stage beetle (Lamprina aurata) and Dermetes maculatus, one visiting pest - Musca domestica were found in the smoked fish. Golden stage beetle infested only O. niloticus while C. gariepinus and C. citharus were infested by D. maculatus. M. domestica (common housefly) visited all the smoked fish with Synodontis species being least visited. Monthly occurrences of golden beetle and D. maculatus in O. niloticus and C. gariepinus respectively followed the same trend of infestation in these metropolis. The infestation caused smoked fish to break into pieces, unattractive and powdery - like substance discharge that resulted to quality and quantity loss. D. maculatus serve as vector for diseases to humans and mould, which is a fungi that would have negative effect on human health. Periodic hot smoking of fish, provision of screened retail tables, adequate packaging and proper storage need to be put in place, fungal as well as microbial analyses of smoked fish need to be done so as to checkmate insect pests infestation and mould growth. This would ensure safe smoked fish for consumption within these metropolises.

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