Academic literature on the topic 'Stemborer'

Intra- and interspecific interactions within communities of species that utilize the same resources are characterized by competition or facilitation. The noctuid stemborers, Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis, and the crambid stemborer, Chilo partellus were the most important pests of maize in sub-Saharan Africa before the recent “invasion” of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, which currently seriously limits maize yields in Africa. This new pest is interacting with the stemborer community at the larval stage in the use of maize resources. From previous works on the influence of temperature on the larval intra- and interspecific resources utilization within the community of Lepidoptera stemborers involving B. fusca, S. calamistis, and C. partellus, there is a need to update these studies by adding the new pest, S. frugiperda, in order to understand the effect of temperature on the larval interactions of all these four species under the context of climate change. The influence of temperature on intra- and interspecific larval interactions was studied using artificial stems kept at different constant temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C) in an incubator and assessing survival and relative growth rates of each species in single and multi-species experiments. After the inclusion of FAW into the experiments, with regard to relative growth rates, both intra- and interspecific competition was observed among all four species. With regard to survival rates, cannibalism can also explain the intra- and interspecific interactions observed among all four species. Interspecific competition was stronger between the stemborers than between the FAW and the stemborers. Similar to lepidopteran stemborers, temperature affected both survival and relative growth rates of the FAW as well. Regardless of the temperature, C. partellus was superior in interspecific interactions shown by higher relative growth and survival rates. The results suggest that the FAW will co-exist with stemborer species along entire temperature gradient, though competition and/or cannibalism with them is weak. In addition, temperature increases caused by climate change is likely to confer an advantage to C. partellus over the fall armyworm and the other noctuids.

The interactions among insect communities influence the composition of pest complexes that attack crops and, in parallel, their natural enemies, which regulate their abundance. The lepidopteran stemborers have been the major maize pests in Kenya. Their population has been regulated by natural enemies, mostly parasitoids, some of which have been used for biological control. It is not known how a new exotic invasive species, such as the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), may affect the abundance and parasitism of the resident stemborers. For this reason, pest and parasitism surveys have been conducted, before and after the FAW invaded Kenya, in maize fields in 40 localities across 6 agroecological zones (AEZs) during the maize-growing season, as well as at 3 different plant growth stages (pre-tasseling, reproductive, and senescence stages) in 2 elevations at mid-altitude, where all maize stemborer species used to occur together. Results indicated that the introduction of the FAW significantly correlated with the reduction of the abundance of the resident communities of maize stemborers and parasitoids in maize fields; moreover, the decrease of stemborer density after the arrival of FAW occurred mostly at both reproductive and senescent maize stages. It also suggests a possible displacement of stemborers by FAW elsewhere; for example, to other cereals. However, since this study was conducted only three years after the introduction of the FAW, further studies will need to be conducted to confirm such displacements.

AbstractThree lepidopteran cereal stemborers, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae), Busseola fusca Fuller, and Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Noctuidae) were collected from maize and sorghum in Ethiopia. The noctuid stemborers are indigenous to Africa while C. partellus is an introduced species from Asia. In 1999, the Asian stemborer parasitoid, Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Braconidae) was found to be widespread in Ethiopia, even though it had never been released in the country. In addition to attacking Chilo partellus, Cotesia flavipes was reared from B. fusca and S. calamistis. The origin of C. flavipes in Ethiopia may have been Somalia where it was released in 1997 near the border with eastern Ethiopia. Percent parasitism of borers by C. flavipes was higher in eastern Ethiopia than other surveyed regions, and parasitism was higher in 2000 than 1999. Parasitism was higher when cereals were intercropped with other plants and when wild grass hosts of stemborers were present.

AbstractCotesia flavipes Cameron, a gregarious larval endoparasitoid native to the Indo-Australian region, was imported from Pakistan and released in Kenya in 1993 for management of the exotic stemborer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe). Recent reports confirmed the successful establishment of the parasitoid in three locations in Kenya and in northern Tanzania. Functional response studies on this parasitoid and an indigenous congener, Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron), indicated that C. flavipes had a higher searching ability and attacked more larvae when Chilo partellus was the host. When a native stemborer, Sesamia calamistis Hampson, was the host, there was no significant difference between numbers attacked by both parasitoids. Numerical response studies showed that Cotesia flavipes produced more total progeny and female progeny per female parasitoid on Chilo partellus than did Cotesia sesamiae. No significant difference in progeny production was detected between the two parasitoids on S. calamistis. Functional and numerical responses tested in the laboratory gave the same ranking of the two parasitoids on the two hosts as in the field. This study suggests that Cotesia flavipes is a more efficient parasitoid and it is anticipated that it will contribute to the control of both exotic and native stemborers in Kenya.

Food insecurity is a chronic problem in Africa and is likely to worsen with climate change and population growth. It is largely due to poor yields of the cereal crops caused by factors including stemborer pests, striga weeds and degraded soils. A platform technology, ‘push–pull’, based on locally available companion plants, effectively addresses these constraints resulting in substantial grain yield increases. It involves intercropping cereal crops with a forage legume, desmodium, and planting Napier grass as a border crop. Desmodium repels stemborer moths (push), and attracts their natural enemies, while Napier grass attracts them (pull). Desmodium is very effective in suppressing striga weed while improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and improved organic matter content. Both companion plants provide high-value animal fodder, facilitating milk production and diversifying farmers’ income sources. To extend these benefits to drier areas and ensure long-term sustainability of the technology in view of climate change, drought-tolerant trap and intercrop plants are being identified. Studies show that the locally commercial brachiaria cv mulato (trap crop) and greenleaf desmodium (intercrop) can tolerate long droughts. New on-farm field trials show that using these two companion crops in adapted push–pull technology provides effective control of stemborers and striga weeds, resulting in significant grain yield increases. Effective multi-level partnerships have been established with national agricultural research and extension systems, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to enhance dissemination of the technology with a goal of reaching one million farm households in the region by 2020. These will be supported by an efficient desmodium seed production and distribution system in eastern Africa, relevant policies and stakeholder training and capacity development.

The Australian species Cotesia nonagriae Olliff stat. rev. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is redescribed and formally removed from synonymy with C. flavipes based on molecular, morphological and biological differences. The taxonomic history and phylogenetic relationships of C. nonagriae with other members of the C. flavipes complex are presented and underscore the importance of molecular-based identification within this group. The biology of C. nonagriae on the native noctuid stemborer host, Bathytricha truncata (Walker), is compared with previously recorded C. flavipes life history traits. The implications of this taxonomic study relative to biological control and importation of stemborer parasitoids into Australia are discussed.

Sources of infestation are the key elements to be considered in the development of habitat management techniques for the control of maize stemborers. Several wild plants, grasses mostly, have been identified that serve as hosts for stemborers and their parasitoids during the off-season when maize is not present in the field. However, their abundance is much lower in wild plants compared to cultivated fields. Thus, the role of wild plants as a reservoir for cereal stemborers and their parasitoids is still controversial, particularly in agro-ecosystems with reduced wild habitat. We studied the occurrence of different maize stemborers and associated parasitoids in maize stem residues and wild grasses during non-cropping seasons as potential carry-over populations to subsequent early season maize plants. Surveys were conducted in the central region of Kenya during long and short dry seasons in maize residues and wild grasses as well as during the two rainy seasons in maize plants at earlier and late whorl stages during the years of 2017 and 2018. Wild habitat had a higher species diversity than maize residues habitat, but maize residues had a higher abundance of maize stemborer species, such as Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis, and Chilo partellus, and of associated parasitoid species (i.e., Cotesia flavipes and Cotesia sesamiae) than wild plants. Our surveys, complemented by field parasitoid releases of C. flavipes and C. sesamiae, indicated that maize residues constitute a better refugia reservoir not only of the maize stemborers but also of C. flavipes and C. sesamiae during non-cropping seasons as compared to wild plants and, thus, might constitute in this region the main source of both stemborers and C. flavipes/C. sesamiae carry-over in maize plants during the subsequent cropping season. Thus, systematic destruction of maize residues would not help the biological control of lepidopteran stemborers. This is particularly true in areas with reduced wild habitat.

The productivity of maize in Ethiopia has remained lower than the world average because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Stemborers and poor soil fertility are among the main factors that contribute to this poor maize productivity. A novel cropping strategy, such as the use of push-pull technology, is one of the methods known to solve both challenges at once. A push-pull technology targeting the management of maize stemborers was implemented in the Hawassa district of Ethiopia with the ultimate goal of increased food security among smallholder farmers. This study evaluated farmers’ perception of push-pull technology based on their experiences and observations of the demonstration plots that were established on-farm in Dore Bafano, Jara Gelelcha and Lebu Koremo village of the Hawasa district in 2016 and 2017. This study examined farmers’ perception of the importance of push-pull technology in controlling stemborers and improving soil fertility and access to livestock feed. In both cropping seasons, except for Jara Gelelcha, the maize grain yields were significantly higher in the climate-adapted push-pull plots compared to the maize monocrop plots. The majority (89%) of push-pull technology-practising farmers rated the technology better than their maize production methods on attributes such as access to new livestock feed and the control of stemborer damage. As a result, approximately 96% of the interviewed farmers were interested in adopting the technology starting in the upcoming crop season. Awareness through training and effective dissemination strategies should be strengthened among stakeholders and policymakers for the sustainable use and scaling-up of push-pull technology.

The effect of Bacillus thuringiensis to the mortality of corn stemborer Ostrinia furnacalis (Lep. Pyralidae). The study was conducted at the laboratory of Bogor Research Institute for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources during 2005. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dosages of Bacillus. thuringiensis var. aizawai and var. Kurstaki on the mortalities of larvae of corn stemborer Ostrinia furnacalis. Completely randomize design was used with seven treatments. Each treatment was repeated four time with ten larvae per replication. The treatments were three formulation dosages of B. thuringiensis var. aizawai, i.e. 0,5; 1,0; and 2,0 g/l, thee formulation dosages of B. thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, i.e. 0,5; 1,0; and 2,0 g/l, and untreated control. Second instar larvae of O. furnacalis was used in this study. B. thuringiensis was contaminated to the surface of artificial diet with a small paint brush. The result showed that B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki at the dose rate of 1,0 g/l was toxic to the test insect while B. thuringiensis var. aizawai at the dose rate of 2,0 g/l was toxic to the test insect B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki was more toxic than B. thuringiensis var. aizawai to the corn stemborer.

The “Push–Pull” strategy is an effective, efficient, and powerful tool in integrated pest management (IPM) that is combining several behaviour-modifying stimuli to control cereal stem borers and the noxious weed Striga in cereal-based farming systems in Africa. This technology involves driving away from the cereal stemborers from the main crop by using stimuli of repellent intercrops (push) that mask host apparency and simultaneously stemborers are attracted by highly apparent and attractive stimuli from trap plants (pull). The fodder legume, Desmodium (D. uncinatum and D. intortum), and Molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora) are used as the repellent intercrop, which is repugnant to stemborer moths. On the other hand, Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Sudangrass (sorghum vulgare sudanese) is planted as a border crop used as the trap plant (pull). Chemicals that are released by the roots of the Desmodium intercrop induce abortive germination of seeds of noxious Striga weeds, providing very effective control of this weed. Napier grass and Molasses grass also provide high-value animal fodder that facilities milk production, diversifying sources of farmers’ income. Besides, this technology helps to improve soil fertility and prevent soil erosion that leads to increased grain yield in the future. Chemicals that are released by the roots of the Desmodium intercrop induce abortive germination of seeds of noxious Striga weeds, providing very effective control of this weed.

La canne à sucre (Saccharum officinarum) est cultivée dans plus de 100 pays, dans le monde entier avec une production totale moyenne de 170 millions de tonnes de sucre qui a un impact économique profond sur les questions sociales et gouvernementales. En ce qui concerne les problèmes phytosanitaires, il existe un ensemble de maladies et de ravageurs qui réduisent la productivité de la canne à sucre, y compris les Lépidoptères foreurs des tiges qui causent des dégâts et pertes importantes, ce qui est le cas au Panama, contexte de cette thèse. Ce travail décrit la bioécologie des foreurs au Panama, ainsi que l'utilisation de différentes pratiques agricoles pour réduire les infestations de ces ravageurs. La thèse est divisée en six objectifs spécifiques qui constituent 8 chapitres différents. Après avoir présenté le contexte général (chapitre 1), le premier objectif était de faire un état de l’art des résultats obtenus en lutte intégrée contre les foreurs de la canne à sucre Diatraea spp. (Lepidoptera: Cambridae), Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) et Telchin licus (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) en Amérique qui compile 221 références de 1933 à 2017 (chapitre 2). Le deuxième objectif était d'identifier les principales espèces de Diatraea spp. (Lepidoptera: Cambridae). Cette recherche a utilisé la morphologie externe et les organes génitaux, par comparaison avec ceux de l’espèce connue Diatraea saccharalis et a permis de confirmer que Diatraea tabernella Dyar était la principale espèce de foreur au Panama (chapitre 3). Le troisième objectif était de déterminer l'entomofaune associée aux foreurs, en utilisant différents systèmes de piégeage. Une cohorte d'arthropodes a été identifiée comme étant à la fois des ravageurs, des prédateurs et des parasitoïdes (chapitre 4). Le quatrième objectif était d’utiliser la proie sentinelle Galleria mellonella L. comme technique de piégeage pour identifier les principaux ennemis naturels capables de réguler la population de foreurs (chapitre 5). L'expérimentation a été réalisée en utilisant des œufs, des larves et des pupes de G. mellonella. Les résultats ont montré que les fourmis (Formicidae) étaient les prédateurs les plus importants et les plus efficaces. Le cinquième objectif était de déterminer la flore associée aux foreurs (chapitre 6). Les observations consistaient à échantillonner les mauvaises herbes dans quatre conditions observées dans la plantation (Proche du cours d'eau, à l'intérieur du champ, entre les champs et la mangrove et en bordure de champ). Six espèces de mauvaises herbes (Poaceae) ont été identifiées comme plantes hôtes de D. tabernella. Le sixième objectif était d'étudier l'effet des différentes pratiques agricoles sur la réduction des infestations par les foreurs. Tout d'abord, dans ce contexte, les niveaux de dégâts et l'impact économique ont été évalués sur différentes variétés commerciales de canne à sucre. L'essai visait à déterminer l'effet de ces variétés sur le niveau de dégât des foreurs, la teneur en sucre et l'impact sur le rendement de la canne à sucre (chapitre 7). Nos résultats ont montré que D. tabernella était capable de réduire la quantité et la qualité du sucre et de la biomasse en fonction du type de variété. Deuxièmement, nous avons étudié l'effet des doses d'azote et de la silice appliquées au champ sur l'infestation par les foreurs (chapitre 8). Pour réaliser cet objectif, nous avons conduit deux essais en utilisant un dispositif expérimental avec 4 répétitions. Les résultats ont montré que l'application de niveaux élevés d'azote augmentait significativement l'infestation. Au contraire, l'utilisation de silice réduit significativement l'infestation de foreurs. En résumé, ces résultats ont permis l'identification des principales espèces de foreurs, leurs ennemis naturels et la flore associée, leur impact sur la canne à sucre et l'importance des pratiques agricoles dans la gestion de ces ravageurs au Panama
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is grown in more than 100 countries worldwide with a total production averaging 170 million tons of sugar that has a profound economic impact on social and governmental issues. In terms of biological constraints there is a complex of diseases and pests that significantly reduce the productivity of sugarcane including stemborers. In Panama, the most important pests that cause losses in sugarcane are lepidopteran stemborers. The aim of this thesis was to study the bioecology of these major pests in Panama and to study different agricultural practices that influence stemborer infestations. To carry out this aim, our thesis has been divided into six overall objectives which constitute 8 different chapters. After presenting the general context (chapter 1), the first objective was to review the results obtained on integrated pest management strategies against the sugarcane borers Diatraea spp. (Lepidoptera: Cambridae), Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Telchin licus (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in America that compiles 221 references from 1933 to 2017 (chapter 2).The second objective was to identify the main sugarcane pest species of Diatraea spp. (Lepidoptera: Cambridae). This research used external morphology and genitalia by comparison with the well know species D. saccharalis and allowed to confirm Diatraea tabernella Dyar as the main stemborer species in Panama (chapter 3). The third objective was to determine the entomofauna associated with stemborers using different trapping systems. A cohort of arthropods was identified as pest species, predators and parasitoids (chapter 4). The fourth objective was to evaluate the use of sentinel prey of Galleria mellonella L. as a trapping technique to identify the key natural enemies that are able to regulate borer population (chapter 5). The experiment was carried out using G. mellonella eggs, larvae and pupae and the results showed that ants (Formicidae) were the most important and effective predators. The fifth objective was to determine the flora associated with stemborers (Weeds present in and around sugarcane fields) (chapter 6). The survey consisted of sampling weeds in four conditions observed in the plantation (Close source of water, within the plantation, between the field and mangrove and at field edges). Six weed species (Poaceae) were identified as host plants of D. tabernella. The sixth objective was to investigate the effect of different agricultural practices on reducing stemborer infestations. As a first step, damage levels and economic impact of stemborer were assessed through a field experiment to determine the effect of different sugarcane varieties on stemborer damage level, the production of sugar components and the impact on sugarcane yield (chapter 7). Our results showed that D. tabernella was able to reduce the quantity and quality of sugar and biomass depending on the type of variety. Second, the effect of silicon and nitrogen doses applied in the field on stemborers infestation were investigated (chapter 8). To carry out this objective we conducted two experiments using an experimental design with 4 replicates. The results showed that the application of high nitrogen levels increased stemborer infestation. The use of silicon significantly reduced infestation.The outcomes of this thesis were the identification of the main species of stemborers, their natural enemies and associated flora, the quantification of their impact on sugarcane and the importance agricultural practices in managing these pests in Panama

Stemborer ecology in South Africa has been studied well but largely in maize in commercial monoculture production systems. Stemborers are important pests of maize in resource-poor farming systems at the Tshiombo irrigation scheme in the Limpopo Province, especially since crops are available throughout the year. Both irrigation and the subtropical climate make crop production possible throughout the year. Before this study no information existed on Sesamia calamistis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) moth flight patterns in South Africa and limited information on flight patterns of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in small-farming areas was available. In this study the moth flight patterns of B. fusca and S. calamistis were determined on small-scale, irrigated farms in Venda using pheromone traps. The B. fusca flight pattern showed two distinct peaks, the first during October (2005) and the second during DecemberlJanuary (2004/05). Periods of no moth flight activity occurred during December (2004). During December and January increased numbers were observed showing two peaks for S. calamistis. Sesamia calamistis moths were however also active between October and January with no activity being recorded during February. During the winter months of June and July high numbers of S. calamistis moths were captured. Also prior to this study no information existed on the relative abundance and natural enemies of stemborers in maize production systems such as that at Tshiombo. The incidence of damaged plants was determined on fields at monthly intervals between June 2005 and March 2006. Species distribution and population dynamics of stemborers were determined by dissecting plants at monthly intervals. Data showed that the incidence of stemborer damaged plants was highest during the months of July (2005) to February (2006) during the pre-flowering period and from June to November during the post-flowering period. The incidence of damaged plants ranged between 7 and 30 %. The stemborers that occurred were B. fusca, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and S. calamistis. Chilo partellus, B. fusca and S. calamistis made up 85, 5 and 7 % of the total population of stemborers, respectively. Percentage parasitism of stemborer larvae by Cotesia sesamiae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) ranged between 0 and 34 % during the 15-month sampling period. This is low compared to observations in another study on B. fusca in maize in commercial farming systems where Co. sesamiae caused mortality of 90 % in diapause larvae of B. fusca. A study was done to determine if Napier grass would be effective as a trap crop for stemborers when planted as contour strips along two sides of maize fields. The incidence of damaged plants and stemborer species composition on fields with Napier grass as trap crop was compared to fields without the trap crop. Fields during the whorl stage had lower incidences of damaged plants in trap crop fields compared to control fields, but only six of these were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The lower incidence of infestation in blocks with Napier grass as trap crop showed that this method of pest control could be effective under certain conditions. During the pre-flowering period C. partellus was the dominant species with proportions of between 67 and 100 % of the population in the trap fields and 88 to 100 % in the control fields. High proportions of C. partellus were always present in control fields with statistically significant differences between trap and control fields. Plants at different growth stages were always present and made it difficult to measure infestations compared to monoculture systems. Data showed a strong association between moth flight peaks and high larval infestations, which indicate that timing of pest management activities e.g. insecticide application could be based on the moth flight pattern. The potential for biological control of stemborers is huge and Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) may be recommended for release. An integrated pest management (IPM) strategy will however only be viable if adequate advisory services exist to monitor moth flights and to assist farmers in dealing with stemborers on a sustainable level.
Thesis (M. Environmental Science (Plant Protection))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Indirect ecological effects such as associational resistance and resource competition have the potential to affect ecological interactions and influence the structure of ecological communities. Although resource competition is commonly studied, the effects of associational resistance are not as evident if studies are not designed to detect them. Additionally, the relative strengths of different ecological mechanisms ought to be measured in studies, rather than the strength of singular mechanisms. This permits proper attribution of causes and effects in community structure and detection of higher order interactions in a way that naïve reductionism will not. In a series of experiments, I looked at the effects of large-scale addition and removal of Borrichia frutescens on associational resistance of Iva frutescens to the gallformer Asphondylia borrichiae in order to test the mechanism and strength of associational resistance in the system. Additionally, I measured the effects of relative host abundance and interpatch distance of hosts on associational resistance. Finally, I looked at the effect of the presence of stemborers competing with the gall former for host plant resources on parasitism rate and parasitoid guild composition. I found evidence for a strong effect of associational resistance by natural enemies over short distances, although the phenomenon is likely of minor importance in comparison to other factors known to affect gall former population density, such as environmental effects and host plant genotype. Competitors also had a weak effect, reducing mean gall diameter, but not significantly altering total parasitism rate. However, the presence of stemborer competitors did slightly alter the composition of the parasitoid guild. In sum, both associational resistance and competition from stemborers have detectable effects on A. borrichiae, albeit weak ones. Environmental factors, such as soil nitrogen content, are likely much stronger determinants of gall former population size.

Host recognition behaviour of two braconid larval parasitoids Cotesia sesamiae and Cotesia flavipes was studied using suitable stemborer hosts [i.e. Busseola fusca for C. sesamiae, and Chilo partellus for C. flavipes] and one non-host [Eldana saccharina]. The wasps displayed similar sequences of behavioural steps when locating their hosts largely depending on their antennae for host recognition and both antennae and tarsi for final host acceptance and oviposition. Tactile and contact chemoreception stimuli from the hosts seem to play a major role in oviposition decision by the parasitoids. In addition, the external morphology and distribution pattern of sensilla present on antennae, tarsi and ovipositor of the parasitoids were examined by scanning electron and optic microscopy after staining with silver nitrate. Three sensillar types were identified on the distal antennomeres: (i) non-porous sensilla trichoidea most probably involved in mechanoreception, (ii) uniporous sensilla chaetica likely to be gustatory and, (iii) multiporous sensilla placodea likely to be olfactory. The tarsi possess a few sensilla chaetica which could be gustatory while the manubrium is likely to be used in detection of vibrations. The distal end of the ovipositor bears numerous multiporous dome-shaped sensilla. Additionally, the ability of the wasps to discriminate between contact cues was studied. When host larvae were washed in distilled water the wasps did not insert their ovipositors. However, ovipositor insertion resumed when washed host or non-host larvae were painted with water extracts of their respective host larvae. The water extracts of the suitable hosts were more attractive to the wasps than those of non-hosts. Similarly, the frass is important in host recognition during short-range examination as those of respective hosts are more intensely antennated than of non-hosts. The parasitoids were able to discriminate the regurgitant of E. saccharina by not antennating the cotton wool ball of this host; while the regurgitant of B. fusca and C. partellus appeared not useful in discriminating between the two species for both parasitoid species. Further analysis suggests the presence of a protein(s) component(s) in the regurgitant possibly responsible for host recognition and oviposition by C. flavipes.
Thesis (Ph.D. (Environmental Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The production of cereals, especially maize, which is a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, is challenged by pests and diseases. In addition, climate change will exacerbate the magnitude of these challenges and agriculture in general. Lepidopteran stemborers are major pests of cereal crops in sub-Saharan Africa. Two indigenous noctuids, Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis and one exotic crambid, Chilo partellus, occur as single and mixed-species communities infesting cereal crops in East and southern Africa. The composition of these communities however varies with altitude and over seasons. Interactions between the species especially when in combination, can affect the level of damage to cereal crops. The objective of this study was to describe the intraspecific and interspecific interactions between the three stemborer species when they make use of the same resources. This study involved field surveys in maize fields in major agro-ecological zones and also different experiments under greenhouse and laboratory conditions to describe the interactions between the species as well as the effect of temperature, species density and duration of the period of competition on outcomes of these interactions. Results showed that stemborer communities are composed of single and mixed species of B. fusca, S. calamistis and C. partellus, which varied with the different agro-ecological zones and also along altitudinal gradients. Temperature was the most important abiotic factor that influenced the composition of stemborer communities. However, infestation patterns varied with season. This study also showed that female moths of the three species did not avoid oviposition on plants that were previously infested by stemborers. Busseola fusca showed a high preference for heterospecific-infested plants, while C. partellus preferred conspecific-infested plants. Sesamia calamistis did not show a significant preference for one plant over the other. This study further showed that both intra- and interspecific competition characterise communities of these stemborer species which ultilise the same resources. Interspecific competition was stronger between the noctuids and the crambid than between the two noctuid species. Temperature had a significant influence on the competitive outcomes between the three species. Finally the study showed that densitydependent effects and the duration of the interactions are also important factors which influence the level of competitive outcomes between the species. Climate change is likely to influence the interactions and composition of stemborer communities.
PhD (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015