Interactions between Schistocera Gregaria (Forskal) and Locusta Migratoria Migratorioides (Reich and Farmaire) in Relation to Phase Polymorphism

Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Semi-field studies on the close-range searching behaviour of C. sesamiae showed that the parasitoid was not arrested by molasses grass although the grass had previously been demonstrated to be attractive to this parasitoid. The presence of molasses grass in a patch with host plants did not interfere with the foraging behaviour of D. busseolae . Both parasitoids recognized host plants at close range and were arrested on infested host plants where they spent most of their time engaged in host searching activities. Field studies showed that stemborer densities were lower in the intercrop than in the monocrop, while diversifying the habitat with molasses grass had no effect on stemborer parasitism. Larval and pupal parasitism was 2.1 and 11.0% in the monocrop compared to 2.0 and 9.8% in the intercrop.

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