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Larval parasitoids and pathogens of the fall armyworm in honduran maize

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Abstract

Parasitism by natural enemies of all larval instars of the fall armyworm (FAW),Spodoptera frugiperda, was quantified in 5 Honduran maize fields during the 1984 growing season. Overall, 42.0% of the host larvae were killed by the natural enemy complex. The braconid parasitoidChelonus insularis was the most common natural enemy accounting for 36.8% of the complex and causing 15.5% mortality of FAW larvae. Other important natural enemies included the nematodeHexamermis sp., the tachinidLespesia sp. and the imperfect entomopathogenic fungusNomuraea rileyi. Distinct ranges of larval instars were attacked by several natural enemy species.Chelonus insularis was an important FAW natural enemy at all larval densities observed.

Resumen

El parasitismo por enemigos naturales del gusano cogollero,Spodoptera frugiperda en todos sus ínstares larvales, fué evaluado en cinco campos de maíz en Honduras, Centro America, durante la temporada de siembra de 1984. El complejo de enemigos naturales mató el 42% de las larvas de cogollero. El parasitoide braconido,Chelonus insularis, fué el enemigo natural más común, constituyendo el 36.8% del complejo y causando una mortalidad del 15.5% de las larvas. Otros enemigos naturales importantes fueron el nemátodoHexamermis sp., la mosca tachínidaLespesia sp., y el hongo imperfecto entomopatogénicoNomuraea rileyi. Rangos específicos de los ínstares larvales del cogollero fueron atacados por varias especies de enemigos naturales.Chelonus insularis fué un enemigo natural importante del cogollero en todas las densidades de larvas muestreadas.

Résumé

Le parasitisme dû aux ennemis naturels de tous les stades larvaires de la NoctuelleSpodoptera frugiperda a été quantifié dans 5 champs de maïs au Honduras, en 1984, durant la saison. Au total, 42% des larves hôtes ont été tuées par le complexe des ennemis naturels. Le Braconide parasitoïdeChelonus insularis était l'ennemi naturel le plus commun; il représentait 36,8% du complexe, causant 15,5% de la mortalité des larves de la Noctuelle. Les autres ennemis naturels importants comprenaient le nématodeHexamermis sp., la tachinaireLespesia sp. et le champignon entomopathogèneNomuraea rileyi. Des échantillons variés de stades larvaires ont été attaqués par plusieurs espèces d'ennemis naturels.Chelonus insularis était un important ennemi naturel de la Noctuelle à toutes les densités larvaires observées.

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Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 8650 and MIPH-EAP No. 146.

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Wheeler, G.S., Ashley, T.R. & Andrews, K.L. Larval parasitoids and pathogens of the fall armyworm in honduran maize. Entomophaga 34, 331–340 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372472

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