Shea parklands have a great socio-economic, cultural and ecological interest but suffer pest attack, which is among the major causes for their deterioration in Africa. To establish an inventory of insects associated with shea trees, the foliage, stems and fruits were regularly examined on 180 trees randomly chosen at six sites in the central and northern regions of Benin. From June to October 2010, a total of 196 samples containing 1415 specimens were collected. These insects belong to 8 orders, 36 families and 56 genera. Forty-seven insects were identified to the species level. The defoliator Cirina forda (Westwood) and the stemborer Neoplocaedaerus spp. were the two most damaging insect species occurring on shea trees. This study stresses the need to protect the shea parklands in Benin through the implementation of integrated insect pest management strategies against shea tree pests.

Larvae of Cirina forda (Westwood) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), a popular food insect in the southern parts of Nigeria were raised in the laboratory on cut foliage as well as on a growing Vittelaria paradoxa tree at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Comparative observations were made on the insect's biology and behaviour in both rearing systems in order to ascertain if the larvae could be reared in captivity on cut foliage. Egg eclosión began 24–48 hours after egg-laying and lasted 10 days. First instars initially aggregated after egg hatch, then migrated in single file to feed after approximately 12 hours after emergence. The first and second instars fed as an aggregate, while the third and subsequent instars fed separately. The first two instars did not exhibit any defensive response when disturbed, but the subsequent four instars emitted a green fluid which may act as a repellant to potential predators. High mortalities were suffered by the first and the penultimate instars. Results have shown that Cirina larvae could be easily reared artificially on V. paradoxa to serve as source of food for humans.