scholarly journals Factors influencing the occurrence of fall armyworm parasitoids in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léna Durocher-Granger ◽  
Tibonge Mfune ◽  
Monde Musesha ◽  
Alyssa Lowry ◽  
Kathryn Reynolds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Interest In Research

AbstractInvasive alien species have environmental, economic and social impacts, disproportionally threatening livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in low- and medium-income countries. Fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive insect pest from the Americas, causes considerable losses on maize to smallholder farmers in Africa since 2016. The increased use of pesticides to control FAW in Africa raises concerns for health and environmental risks resulting in a growing interest in research on biological control options for smallholder farmers. In order to evaluate the occurrence of local natural enemies attacking FAW, we collected on a weekly basis FAW eggs and larvae during a maize crop cycle in the rainy season of 2018–2019 at four locations in the Lusaka and Central provinces in Zambia. A total of 4373 larvae and 162 egg masses were collected. For each location and date of collection, crop stage, the number of plants checked and amount of damage were recorded to analyse which factors best explain the occurrence of the natural enemy species on maize. Overall parasitism rates from local natural enemies at each location varied between 8.45% and 33.11%. We identified 12 different egg-larval, larval and larval-pupal parasitoid species. Location, maize growth stage, pest density and larval stage significantly affected parasitoid species occurrence. Our findings indicate that there is potential for increasing local populations of natural enemies of FAW through conservation biological control programmes and develop safe and practical control methods for smallholder farmers.

scholarly journals Evidence of Leaf Consumption Rate Decrease in Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, Larvae Parasitized by Coccygidium luteum

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakpo Koku Agboyi ◽  
Samuel Adjei Mensah ◽  
Victor Attuquaye Clottey ◽  
Patrick Beseh ◽  
Raymond Glikpo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Consumption Rate ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Leaf Consumption ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Control Programmes

Biological control is one of the best options for the sustainable management of the invasive maize pest Spodoptera frugiperda in Africa. However, there is limited knowledge of the efficacy of native natural enemies of S. frugiperda and their potential use in integrated pest management. The endoparasitoid wasp Coccygidium luteum is one of the natural enemies of S. frugiperda in Africa. This study assessed, under laboratory conditions, the effect of C. luteum on the leaf consumption rate of its host. Fifty first instar S. frugiperda larvae were exposed to C. luteum for oviposition and the maize leaf consumption rate of parasitized larvae was assessed and compared to 50 unparasitized larvae from the same cohort. Coccygidium luteum completed a generation, from egg to adult emergence, in 16.7 days. The leaf consumption rate of parasitized S. frugiperda larvae declined gradually compared to unparasitized larvae and the overall consumption reduction by parasitized S. frugiperda larvae was 89%. Our findings show that C. luteum could reduce damage caused by S. frugiperda to maize farms but, prior to its use in biological control programmes, further studies are needed to assess potential parasitism rates in field conditions and develop a cost-effective mass production system.

scholarly journals First Report of Native Parasitoids of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Mozambique

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 615
Author(s):  
Albasini Caniço ◽  
António Mexia ◽  
Luisa Santos
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Native Parasitoids ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

The alien invasive insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly referred to as fall armyworm (FAW), is causing significant losses to maize production in Africa since its detection in 2016. As an emergency response, governments in several countries distributed and/or promoted massive use of synthetic insecticides among smallholder farmers to fight FAW. The inappropriate use of synthetic insecticides by non-trained and ill-equipped farmers raises environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of native parasitoids of FAW, their parasitism rates, and relative abundance in the central province of Manica, Mozambique. A field collection of FAW egg masses and larvae was conducted from May to August 2019 (dry season of the 2018/2019 cropping season) and in December 2019 and January 2020 (rainy season of 2019/2020 cropping season). A total of 101 egg masses and 1444 larvae of FAW were collected from infested fields. Five larval parasitoids were recorded, but no egg parasitism was observed. Coccygidium luteum Brullé (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Drino quadrizonula Thomson (Diptera: Tachinidae) were the primary parasitoids. Maximum parasitism of 23.68% and 8.86% and relative abundance of 100 and 96.3 were recorded for C. luteum and D. quadrizonula, respectively. Total parasitism by different parasitoid species was at 9.49%. Cultural practices favoring the action of these parasitoids should be advocated.

Survey of the native insect natural enemies of Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in China

2008 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.Q. Yang ◽  
X.Y. Wang ◽  
J.R. Wei ◽  
H.R. Qu ◽  
X.R. Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Hyphantria Cunea ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Fall Webworm ◽  
Chouioia Cunea

AbstractThe fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), is an invasive and important pest in China. Investigations on insect natural enemies have been conducted from 1996 to 1999 in five provinces and one municipality of China in order to select effective species for biological control. Two carabid predators (Coleoptera) and 25 parasitoid species were found, among which 23 were parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera), including five hyperparasitic species and two tachinid flies (Diptera). The two carabids preyed on young larvae inside webs, two braconid wasps parasitized larvae, and 18 parasitoid species attacked the fall webworm during the pupal and/or ‘larval-pupal’ stages. Among these parasitoids, there were one genus and nine species that are new to science and four species new to China, which were described and published by the senior author Yang. The average parasitism rates of fall webworm pupae were 25.8% and 16.1% in the overwintering generation and the first generation (summer generation), respectively. These findings reveal that these natural enemies play an important role in the natural control of the pest. Chouioia cunea Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a gregarious pupal endo-parasitoid, was recommended as a promising biological control agent against the fall webworm in China.

scholarly journals Integrated pest management options for the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda in West Africa: Challenges and opportunities. A review

2021 ◽  
pp. 192-207
Author(s):  
Besmer Régis Ahissou ◽  
Wendnéyidé Mathieu Sawadogo ◽  
Aimé H. Bokonon-Ganta ◽  
Irénée Somda ◽  
François Verheggen
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Indigenous Natural Enemies

Introduction. The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a voracious and generalist insect pest native to America. It was first detected in West Africa in 2016 and rapidly spread across the continent. The indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides poses risks to human health and threatens the few natural enemies present in these environments. Despite the existence of alternative control measures in America (e.g. genetically modified maize), efforts are needed to develop environmentally friendly approaches that are affordable for smallholder farmers and compatible with the African context. Literature. In this literature review, we describe the potential of the available alternative controls methods which include cultural, physical, biological and semiochemical strategies. The potential of their association is discussed considering their cost-benefice balance and local economic and agricultural context. Conclusions. Several affordable mitigation options could be implemented rapidly, pending proper communication efforts, including (i) the promotion of indigenous natural enemies by promoting refuges and training smallholder farmers on their identification; (ii) cultural methods, mainly by planting directly after the main rainfalls, as well as performing intercropping and crop rotation; and (iii) the use of microbial biopesticides, and avoiding some of the already identified ineffective chemical insecticides.

scholarly journals Euplectrus furnius parasitizing Spodoptera frugiperda in maize in Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
pp. 1958-1960
Author(s):  
Vinícius Soares Sturza ◽  
Sônia Thereza Bastos Dequech ◽  
Marcelo Teixeira Tavares ◽  
Candice Guths ◽  
Michel Pires Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Larval Parasitoids ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Brazil is among the world's biggest maize producers and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the main insect pest on this crop in the country. Despite the importance of its natural enemies, there still is a lack of information about parasitoids species that attack this insect-pest, such as larval parasitoids. This research reports Euplectrus furnius Walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizing S. fugiperda larvae on maize crop in Brazil.

Can Anastrepha fraterculus larval feeding influence chemotaxis and parasitism of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata and Aganaspis pelleranoi?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Patricia Daniela da Silva Pires ◽  
Josué Sant’ Ana ◽  
Luiza Rodrigues Redaelli
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Artificial Diet ◽  
Psidium Guajava ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Anastrepha Fraterculus ◽  
Diachasmimorpha Longicaudata ◽  
Control Programmes

Abstract Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major barrier to fruit production and exportation. In Brazil, the native parasitoid Aganaspis pelleranoi (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) and the exotic parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) stand out as biological control agents. Knowledge of the factors that affect interactions among parasitoids, A. fraterculus, and host fruits may enhance the use of these agents in biological control programmes. This study evaluated the chemotaxis and parasitism of A. pelleranoi and D. longicaudata females reared on A. fraterculus larvae and kept on an artificial diet, red guava (Psidium guajava) or apple (Malus domestica). Females of both parasitoid species that emerged from larvae raised on artificial diet, guava or apple, were tested to Y olfactometer choice tests. In the parasitism tests, both parasitoid species were made to choose between A. fraterculus larvae brushed with water, apple pulp or guava pulp. D. longicaudata females from artificial diet (control) did not distinguish between fruit odours; however, females of D. longicaudata from larvae kept in apple or guava directed to the odours of their original fruit. The greatest parasitism for D. longicaudata occurred in the units that contained the pulp in which the larvae grew. A. pelleranoi from artificial diet preferred guava odours, including the females kept in apple. Similar results were observed in the parasitism bioassays. Our results found that A. fraterculus larval feeding influenced search behaviour and parasitism of D. longicaudata, whereas A. pelleranoi rearing experience did not affect its host choices.

scholarly journals Insect fauna of pests and their natural enemies inhabiting sorghum-panicles in Egypt

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hosam M. K. H. El-Gepaly
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Insect Fauna ◽  
Cryptoblabes Gnidiella ◽  
Arthropod Species ◽  
Lepidopteran Pests ◽  
Major Pest

AbstractSorghum panicles offer a very rich microenvironment for many insect pest species and their natural enemies. Thirty arthropod species belonging to 28 families, pertaining to 9 orders were obtained from sorghum panicles planted in Sohag Governorate, Egypt, during the 3 successive seasons of 2016–2018. Out of these species were 14 pests, 16 predators, and 3 parasitoids. Lepidopteran and hemipteran pests were the most dominant species-infested sorghum-panicles during the mature stages of the panicles. Three microlepidopteran pests, the noctuid, Eublemma (Autoba) gayneri (Roth.); the pyralid, Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière, and the cosmopterigid, Pyroderces simplex Walsingham, were recorded as major pest species infesting sorghum panicles in Sohag Governorate. The dipteran parasitoid species, Nemorilla floralis (Fallen) (Tachinidae) emerged from the pupae of the E. gayneri and C. gnidiella, while the hymenopteran parasitoid, Brachymeria aegyptiaca (Chalcididae) was obtained from the pupae of all the studied microlepidopteran pests. Spiders, coccinellids, and Orius spp. were the dominant predators collected form panicles. Post-harvest, larvae, and pupae of lepidopteran pests, especially P. simplex recorded (147, 96, and 79 larvae) and (47, 30, and 73 pupae)/10 panicles in 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons, respectively.

scholarly journals Population Dynamics of Sugarcane Moth Borers in Indonesian Cane Fields

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Nader Sallam ◽  
Etik Mar'ati Achadian ◽  
Ari Kristini ◽  
Rob Magarey ◽  
Emily Deomano
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Plant Age ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Top Borer ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Sugarcane Moth Borers ◽  
Chilo Auricilius

We conducted monthly monitoring of lepidopterous moth borers in four sugarcane fields in Java, Indonesia, from May 2009 to May 2011. Fields sampled belonged to Pesantren Baru, Jombang Baru, Gondang Baru and Subang sugar factories. Three main moth borer species were found to inflict damage to sugarcane plantations in all regions, and these are the stalk borers Chilo sacchariphagus (Bojer) and Chilo auricilius Dudgeon and the top borer Scirpophaga excerptalis (Walker). Tetramoera (Eucosma) schistaceana (Snellen) was also encountered but only caused minor damage. Borer populations increased with plant age and reached a peak around January – May in most cases, with the onset of rainfall triggering population rise. All borers coexisted in the same plant with no evidence of competition between the two stalk borers (C. sacchariphagus and C. auricilius) over their specific feeding location (internode) or between the two stalk borers and the top borer (S. excerptalis) over the same plant. This suggests that an infestation by one species does not make the plant less desirable to be colonised by another. Parasitism rates by natural enemies were very low which reflects the challenges facing biological control efforts in Java. Knowledge generated through this project will improve our understanding of borer dynamics in South East Asia and will enhance our preparedness for potential introduction by any of these pests into Australia

scholarly journals Report of A Larval Parasitoid of Tuta Absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) from Iran

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fariba Sohrabi ◽  
Hossein Lotfalizadeh ◽  
Hoda Salehipour
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Tuta Absoluta ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Tomato Leafminer ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Larval Parasitoid ◽  
The Family ◽  
Introduced Pest ◽  
First Time

Abstract The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is one of the most devastating pests of greenhouse and outdoor tomato crops. Since it is a newly introduced pest in Iran, there is an important need to search for its natural enemies. In the course of a survey on the natural enemies of this pest, samplings were carried out in tomato greenhouses heavily infested with the tomato leafminer, in the Borazjan region of the Bushehr province in Iran. Leaves with mines were reared in the laboratory until emergence of parasitoids. A single parasitoid species of the family Eulophidae was reared and identified as Neochrysocharis formosus (Westwood 1833). This species is reported for the first time on the tomato leafminer in Iran. Such information may help in developing biological control programs to control this serious pest.

scholarly journals Predators impairing the natural biological control of parasitoids

2000 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronaldo Reis Jr ◽  
Og De Souza ◽  
Evaldo F. Vilela
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Leaf Miner ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Coffee Plantation ◽  
Wasp Species ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Food Web Interactions ◽  
Coffee Leaf Miner

A well known case of ineffective natural biological control: the puzzling coexistence of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeellum (Guérin-Mèneville), and its natural enemies was analyzed. Despite being a suitable prey to eight parasitoid species and three wasp species, all occurring simultaneously, the coffee leaf miner too often presents populations far above the damaging level for the coffee plantation. It is demonstrated that predatory wasps and parasitoids interact negatively, possibly because predatory wasps kill parasitized miner's larvae. In doing so, predatory wasps indirectly kill parasitoids, thereby impairing the efficacy of the natural biological control. It is warned that biological control programs should be based on knowledge of food web interactions, rather than simply on strategies involving introduction of exotic natural enemies.

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