Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Insect Science and its Application

Publication Date

1-1-1997

Abstract

The noctuids Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis and the pyraloids Chilo partellus, Chilo orichakocilielhis and Eldana saccharina are the most important stemborers of maize in East Africa. A wide range of egg, larval and pupal parasitoids of stemborers have been identified, but information on predators, nematodes and microbial pathogens is less extensive. The most abundant and widespread parasitoids in the East African region are the egg parasitoids Telenomus spp. and Trichogramma spp., the larval parasitoids Cotesia sesamiae and Sturmiopsis parasitica and the pupal parasitoids Pediobiusfiirvus and Dentichasmias busseolae. Predators, such as ants, spiders and earwigs can cause high mortality of eggs and young larvae in some areas. Nematodes and microbial pathogens have been reported to infect all life stages, but their impact is low under natural conditions. The abundance of natural enemies can vary considerably between locations and seasons. In general, indigenous natural enemies are no t able to keep stemborer populations below economic injury levels. This paper summarises what is currently known of the natural enemies of cereal stemborers in East Africa. © 1997 ICIPE.

Keywords

Bacteria, East africa, Fungi, Natural enemies, Parasitoids, Predators, Protozoa, Stemborers, Viruses

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