DNA sequencing to help identify crop pests and their natural enemies in agro-ecosystems: The case of the millet head miner Heliocheilus albipunctella (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in sub-Saharan Africa

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) invaded Africa in 2016, and has since spread to all countries in sub-Saharan Africa, causing devastating effects on mainly maize and sorghum. The rapid spread of this pest is aided by its high reproductive rate, high migration ability, wide host range and adaptability to different environments, among others. Since its introduction, many governments purchased and distributed pesticides for emergency control, with minimal regard to their efficacy. In this chapter, we review efforts towards managing this pest, highlight key challenges, and provide our thoughts on considerations for sustainable management of the pest.

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Phylogeography and population genetics of the maize stalk borer Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in sub-Saharan Africa

Molecular Ecology ◽

10.1111/j.1365-294x.2005.02761.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 407-420 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

M. SEZONLIN ◽

S. DUPAS ◽

B. LE RÜ ◽

P. LE GALL ◽

P. MOYAL ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Genetics ◽

Busseola Fusca ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Stalk Borer ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

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Experiences and Perspectives on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

Journal of Integrated Pest Management ◽

10.1093/jipm/pmab002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth Njuguna ◽

Phophi Nethononda ◽

Karim Maredia ◽

Ruth Mbabazi ◽

Paul Kachapulula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

New Technologies ◽

Integrated Management ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Invasive Pest ◽

Published Evidence ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Abstract It has been over five years since the first report of an outbreak of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Africa. The highly invasive pest, native to the Americas, has since spread across the African continent attacking many crops and causing significant yield loss to Africa’s staple crop, maize. From the onset of the outbreak, there have been massive and varied responses from farmers, governments and nongovernmental organizations. This mini-review provides various perspectives on S. frugiperda control in sub-Saharan Africa, building on previously published evidence, and experiences of the authors. It also highlights new technologies and lessons learned so far from the S. frugiperda outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa, based on which suggestions on possible integrated management approaches are proffered.

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Effects of distance from semi-natural habitat on fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, J. E. Smith) and its potential natural enemies in Ghana

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485321000894 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Matthew W. Jordon ◽

Talya D. Hackett ◽

Fred Aboagye-Antwi ◽

Vincent Y. Eziah ◽

Owen T. Lewis

Keyword(s):

Natural Enemies ◽

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Leaf Damage ◽

Crop Damage ◽

Biological Pest Control ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Insect crop pests are a major threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Configuration of semi-natural habitat within agricultural landscapes has the potential to enhance biological pest control, helping to maintain yields whilst minimising the negative effects of pesticide use. Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, J. E. Smith) is an increasingly important pest of maize in sub-Saharan Africa, with reports of yield loss between 12 and 45%. We investigated the patterns of fall armyworm leaf damage in maize crops in Ghana, and used pitfall traps and dummy caterpillars to assess the spatial distribution of potential fall armyworm predators. Crop damage from fall armyworm at our study sites increased significantly with distance from the field edge, by up to 4% per m. We found evidence that Araneae activity, richness and diversity correspondingly decreased with distance from semi-natural habitat, although Hymenoptera richness and diversity increased. Our preliminary findings suggest that modifying field configuration to increase the proximity of maize to semi-natural habitat may reduce fall armyworm damage and increase natural enemy activity within crops. Further research is required to determine the level of fall armyworm suppression achievable through natural enemies, and how effectively this could safeguard yields.

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