Abstract
Field surveys carried out in Mozambique showed that two indigenous cereal stemborers, Busseola fusca Fuller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and one exotic stemborer, Chilo parteltus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), are the main pests of maize and sorghum in the country. Busseola fusca was abundant at high altitudes (> 800 m) and Ch. partellus was abundant at low altitudes (< 800 m). Sesamia calamistis occurred at all elevations but in low numbers. Of the three stemborers, Ch. partellus was the most widespread and abundant pest of maize followed by B. fitsca. Therefore, a programme was initiated to introduce the exotic parasitoid Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to increase natural suppression of Ch. partellus populations. Cotesia flavipes was introduced into southern Mozambique for the first time in November 1996. Additional releases were subsequently carried out in several places in southern and central Mozambique from 1998–2000. The parasitoid was recovered from all localities sampled 1 to 3 years after its introduction, indicating that this exotic parasitoid had established in the southern and central regions of Mozambique.
Résumé
Des enquêtes menées sur le terrain au Mozambique ont montré que les foreurs des tiges de céréales indigènes Busseola fusca Fuller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) et Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) et un foreur des tiges exotique, Chilo Partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), sont les principaux ravageurs du maïs et du sorgho dans le pays. Busseola fusca est abondant à hautes altitudes (> 800 m) and Ch. partellus est abondant à basses altitudes (< 800 m). Sesamia calamistis est présent à toutes les altitudes mais en faible nombre. Parmi les trois foreurs des tiges, Ch. partellus est le ravageur le plus largement répandu et le plus abondant suivi par B. fusca. Aussi, un programme a été lancé pour introduire le parasitoïde exotique Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) afin d’augmenter la régulation naturelle des populations de Ch. partellus. Cotesia flavipes a été introduit dans le sud du Mozambique pour la première fois en novembre 1996. Des lâchers supplémentaires ont été par la suite réalisés dans plusieurs localités du sud et du centre du Mozambique entre 1998 et 2000. Le parasitoïde a été retrouvé dans toutes les localités échantillonnées 1 et 3 ans après son introduction, indiquant qu’il s’est établi dans les régions du sud et du centre du Mozambique.
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Cugala, D., Omwega, C.O. Cereal Stemborer Distribution and Abundance, and Introduction and Establishment of Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Mozambique. Int J Trop Insect Sci 21, 281–287 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400008365
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400008365