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Prevalence of Microorganisms in Field-Sampled Borers on Sorghum, Maize, and Cowpea in Western Kenya

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Abstract

A survey carried out over Western Kenya in order to determine the prevalence of microorganisms in cereal stem borers and legume pod borer showed the presence of a large number of insect pathogens in the dead larvae. Larval cadavers were recovered from all sampling sites. Bacterial and fungal microorganisms were highly prevalent. Other major groups of microorganisms were also recovered, although at a low level. Viruses (polyhedral inclusion bodies and granulosis viruses) occurred at 2.7% at the Mbita Point Field Station, and 1.1% in the field. Mermithids and rhabditids occurred at 0.4% in the station and 0.6% in the field, whereas the protozoans (microsporidia and gregarines) were more prevalent in the station than in the farmers’ fields (9.4 and 1%, respectively).

The spotted stalk borer, Chilo partellus was the most common borer sampled, but Busseola fusca and legume pod borer, Maruca testulalis were sampled in most sites too. Sesamia calamistis and Eldana saccharina were recorded at a low level, and C. orichalcoceliellus was recorded only at the Kenya coast.

Résumé

Une étude faite à l’Ouest du Kenya pour déterminer la fréquence des microorganismes des insectes foreurs de tíges des céréales et de d’agents pathogènes dans les larves mortes. Des cadavres larvaires ont été collectés dans tous les sites de collections. Des microorganismes bactériens et des champignons microscopiques étaient hautement prédominants. D’autres groupes important de microorganismes ont été aussi retrouvés, quoique à un nombre réduit. Les virus ont été detectes ceux-ci representaient 2,7% à Mbita Point et 1,1 % sur le terrain. Les Merthimidae et les Rhabditidae representaient 0,4% à la Station de Mbita Point et 0,6% sur le terrain. Par contre les protozoaires (microsporidies et gregarines) étaient plus abondant à la station (9,4%) que sur le terrain (1%).

Le moucheté Chilo partellus était le plus commun des insectes foreurs de tiges, suivis de Busseola fusca et Maruca testulalis. Sesamia calamistis et Eldana saccharina ont été retrouves à un niveau très bas. C. orichalcoceliellus fût collectionné seulement à la côte Kenyanne.

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Odindo, M.O., Otieno, W.A., Oloo, G.W. et al. Prevalence of Microorganisms in Field-Sampled Borers on Sorghum, Maize, and Cowpea in Western Kenya. Int J Trop Insect Sci 10, 225–228 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400010377

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400010377

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