Survey of Distribution, Infestation, and Damage Level of Major Insect Pests on Faba Bean and Field Pea Crops in the North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Faba beans and field peas are the major pulse crops widely produced in North Shoa, Ethiopia. Despite these crops being widely grown in the northern parts of the country over a wide range of altitudes, the distribution, infestation, and damage level of the major insect that affects these crops have not been well studied. Therefore, the current study was conducted with the objective of assessing the distribution, infestation, and damaging level of major insects on faba bean and field pea crops in the North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, during the 2022 and 2023 main cropping seasons. The survey was conducted in five selected districts: GirarJarso, Dagam, DebreLibanos, Wachale, and Jida. A total of 180 fields were randomly sampled across 30 Kebeles within these districts. The study utilized a purposive multistage sampling method, and data were collected using various sampling patterns, including ―X‖, ‖U‖, ‖ W, ‖ and ―Z‖ formations, with 1m² quadrants placed at intervals. The results revealed that significant variation (p < 0.05) in insect infestation and damage levels across the surveyed districts and insects identified. Insects recorded during this survey identified several major insect pests, including pod borer (Marucavitrata), caterpillar (Catopsiliapyranthi), flea beetle (Scelodontastrigicollis), and African bollworm (Helicoverpaarmigera) in faba bean crops, and pod borer (Marucavitrata), caterpillar (Catopsiliapyranthi), flea beetle (Scelodontastrigicollis), and aphids (Aphis craccivora) in field pea crops. Infestation levels varied across districts, with the highest infestation for faba beans recorded in Girar Jarso (30.5%) for leaf beetles and for field peas in Jida (40%) for pod borers. Damage levels ranged from 0% to 26% for faba beans and from 0% to 29% for field peas, with significant regional variations. The results highlight the economic importance of these pests, which require urgent attention through integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. The study emphasizes the need for timely and effective pest control measures to mitigate the damage to pulse crops in the North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia.