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Potential of Nosema spp. (Microspora, Nosematidae) and Viruses in the Management of Chilo spp. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

  • Biological Control
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International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Laboratory and field assays carried out so far indicate that microsporidian pathogens, especially Nosema spp., may be exploited for the management of the spotted stalk borer Chilo partellus and possibly other Chilo spp. Several formulations have been tested for the application of Nosema spores in the field for borer management. Significantly high levels of control were achieved when the pathogen was sprayed on plants infested with borer larvae, compared with unsprayed plots. Sublethal dosages of Nosema spp. reduced the biological performance of C. partellus, as indicated by reduced fecundity in infected females, high mortality in pre-imagines as well as in the filial generations, and reduced lifespan. There was also a high level of deformity in the surviving adults. Such debilitating factors would subsequently result in a reduction of population levels.

In sugar-cane pests, granulosis viruses have been observed to cause high natural mortalities in C. infuscatellus and C. sacchariphagus. Field infestation has been reduced by the application of the virus. Further, the presence of polyhedrosis viruses in C. partellus, and Chilo iridiscent virus in C. suppressalis, points towards the possibility of using this group of pathogens in Chilo control.

Résumé

Les essais de laboratoire et les essais de terrain conduits à ce jour, montrent que les microsporidles pathogènes d’insectes, en particulier Nosema spp., peuvent être utilisées pour la lutte contre le foreur des tiges, Chilo partellus, et éventuellement d’autres especes de Chilo. Plusieurs formulations ont été testées pour l’utilisation des spores de Nosema au champ. Un très bon niveau de contrôle a été obtenu après que le pathogène ait été pulverisé sur les plantes artificiellement infestées avec les larves de C. partellus. Les doses subléthales de Nosema sp. ont entrainé des altérations du potentiel biologique de C. partellus, par une réduction de la fécondité des femelles, celle de la durée de vie des insectes, et par une mortalité élevée des chrysalides (aussi bien la génération présente que la génération suivante). Un taux élevé de difformités parmi les survivants imagos a également été observé. Ce genre de débilité devrait avoir pour consequénce, une réduction de la population ultérieurement.

En ce qui concerne les insectes ravageurs de la canne à sucre, le virus à granulose cause des taux de mortalité élevée dans les populations de C. infuscatellus et de C. sacchariphagus dans la nature. L’application du virus au champ se traduit par une réduction de la population. Par ailleurs, la présence du virus à polyèdres dans C. partellus, et celle du virus iridescent de Chilo dans C. suppressalis montrent la possibilite d’utiliser ce groupe des pathogènes pour lutter contre Chilo.

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  1. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Mbita Point Field Station, P. O. Box 30, Mbita, South Nyanza, Kenya

    M. O. Odindo

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Odindo, M.O. Potential of Nosema spp. (Microspora, Nosematidae) and Viruses in the Management of Chilo spp. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 11, 773–778 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400021330

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400021330

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