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Biological Control of Maize and Sugarcane Stemborers in Mexico: A Review

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Abstract

Surveys for natural enemies of Mexican stemborers and the major biocontrol attempts using indigenous and exotic parasites in Mexico are reviewed. Although biological control of stemborers in Mexico was initiated in the 1920s, parasite explorations were intensified during the 1980s and have continued to date in response to the invasion of Diatraea grandiosella Dyar, D. lineolata (Walker) and Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) into the United States from Mexico. Recent surveys for stemborer parasites in Mexico has led to the discovery and laboratory culturing of the braconids Allorhogas pyralophagus Marsh, Digonogastra solitaria Wharton & Quicke and Macrocentrus prolificus Wharton; the ichneumonid Mallochia pyralidis Wharton and the tachinid Lydella jalisco Woodley. The Asian braconid Cotesia flavipes Cameron was introduced and established in the states of Tamaulipas and Sinaloa against Diatraea spp. Unsuccessful attempts to establish other exotic parasites are also discussed. Stemborer predators and diseases have been poorly studied in Mexico, and their potential as biocontrol agents is unknown. The current biological control programmes of stemborers in Mexico and the potential of indigenous and exotic parasites as biocontrol agents are discussed. National and international collaboration is stressed for optimisation of resources and efficient exchange of natural enemies and their mass rearing technology.

Résumé

Les scientifiques mexicains effectuent actuellement la compilation des travaux concernant les ennemis naturels des insectes térébrants et les processus de biocontrôle faisant intervenir des parasites endémiques et étrangers. Bien que ce contrôle biologique ait débuté au Mexique dans les années 1920, les études concernant les parasites ont été intensifiées à partir des années 1980 jusqu’à nos jours, pour faire face à l’invasion aux Etats-Unis de Diatraea grandiosella (Dyar), D. lineolata (Walker) et Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), en provenance du Mexique. Dans ce dernier pays, les recherches entreprises ont permis de mettre en évidence et de tester au laboratoire l’action des braconides Allorhogas pyralophagus (Marsh), Digonogastra solitaria (Wharton & Quicke) et Macrocentrus prolificus (Wharton), des ichneumons Mallochia pyralidis (Wharton) et des tachines Lydella jalisco (Woodley). Le braconide asiatique Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) a été introduit et s’est développé dans les états de Tamaulipas et de Sinaloa pour lutter contre Diatraea spp. Des essais d’introduction d’autres parasites étrangers ont également été tentés sans succès jusque là. Les prédateurs de ces insectes foreurs ainsi que les maladies qu’ils provoquent ont été très peu étudiés au Mexique, et leur utilisation comme agents de biocontrôle est mal appréciée. Les chercheurs continuent donc à travailler sur ces thèmes. Les collaborations, tant nationales qu’internationales, se renforcent afin d’optimiser les travaux en mettant en commun les ressources, les informations relatives aux ennemis naturels et les transferts de technologie.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-2475, USA

    L. A. Rodriguez-Del-Bosque & J. W. Smith Jr

  2. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Serapio Rendón 83, Col San Rafael, México, D.F. 06470

    L. A. Rodriguez-Del-Bosque

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  1. L. A. Rodriguez-Del-Bosque
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Rodriguez-Del-Bosque, L.A., Smith, J.W. Biological Control of Maize and Sugarcane Stemborers in Mexico: A Review. Int J Trop Insect Sci 17, 305–314 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400019111

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