Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A review of the introduction and establishment of cotesia flavipes cameron in east africa for biological Control of Cereal Stemborers

  • Research Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an exotic stemborer of cereal crops in Africa which invaded the continent from Asia earlier this century. In addition to Ch. partellus, several indigenous stemborers are found in Africa. In 1991, Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a gregarious endoparasitoid of stemborers in Asia, was introduced into Kenya for biological control of Ch. partellus. Laboratory studies revealed that the parasitoid could successfully parasitise not only the target stemborer, but also two native stemborers that occur sympatrically with Ch. partellus in some locations. Interbreeding studies demonstrated the Co. flavipes would mate with a native congener, Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron), but no female offspring resulted from these matings. Investigations on competition between the two Cotesia spp. indicated that when Ch. partellus was the host, Co. flavipes appeared to be a superior parasitoid. Releases of Co. flavipes were made in 1993 in Kenya. Recoveries in 1994, 1995 and 1996 demonstrated that the parasitoid was firmly established in two regions of Kenya and in northern Tanzania. Preliminary observations suggest that the parasitoid is causing greater mortality to stemborers in southwestern Kenya than in the coastal area.

Résumé

Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) est un exotique foreur de tiges des cultures céréalières en Afrique qui envahit le continent en provenance d’Asie au début de ce siècle. En plus de Ch. partellus, plusieurs foreurs de tiges sont rencontrés en Afrique. En 1991, Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), un grégaire endoparasitoïde des foreurs de tiges en Asie fut introduit au Kenya pour la lutte biologique contre Ch. partellus. Des études en laboratoire révélèrent que le parasitoïde pouvait parasiter avec succès non seulement les foreurs cibles mais aussi deux foreurs en occurrence sympatrique avec Ch. partellus dans quelques localités. Des études sur élevage mixte ont démontré que Co. flavipes pouvait s’accouplert avec un congénère indigène, Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron), mais ces accouplemets ne donnèrent pas naissance à une progéniture femelle. Les investigations sur la compétition entre les deux espèces de Cotesia montrèrent que lorsque Ch. partellus était l’hôte, Co. flavipes était un parasitoïde supérieur. Des lâchers de Co. flavipes furent effectués en 1993 au Kenya. Les recouvrements de 1994, 1995 et 1996 montrèrent que le parasitoïde s’était fermement établi dans deux régions du Kenya et au nord de la Tanzanie. Des observations préliminaires suggèrent que le parasitoïde cause une plus grande mortalité chez les foreurs de tiges au sud-ouest que dans la région côtière du Kenya.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alam M. M., Bennett F. D. and Carl K. P. (1971) Biological control of Diatraea saccharalis (F.) in Barbados by Apanteles flavipes Cam. and Lixophaga diatraeae T. Entomophaga 16, 151–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson P. R. (1979) Distribution and natural hosts of Eldana saccharina Walker in Natal, its oviposition sites and feeding patterns. Proceedings of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association 53, 111–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Badilla F., Solis F. and Alfaro D. (1991) Biological control of the sugarcane stem borer Diatraea spp. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Costa Rica. Manejo Integrado de Plagas 20–21, 39–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Betbeder-Matibet M. and Malinge P. (1967) Un succes de la lutte biologique: Controle de Proceras sacchariphagus Boj. Borer ponctue de la canne a sucre a Madagascar par un parasite introduit: Apanteles flavipes Cam. Agronomie Tropical 22, 1196–1220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bleszynski S. (1970) A revision of the world species of Chilo Zinchen (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Bull. Brit. Mus. Nat. Hist. Entomol. 25, 101–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bordat D. (1983) Mise au point de l’elevage de masse d’Apanteles chilonis Matsumura, 1912 et d’Apanteles flavipes (Cameron, 1891) (Hymenopteres Braconidae) sur trois lepidopteres pyralidae foreurs des graminees (Chilo zacconius Bleszynski, 1970; Chilo partellus (Swinhoe, 1884) et Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794)) dans un objectif de lutte biologique. These. Universite des Sciences et Techniques du Langeudoc, Montpellier, France. 184 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosque-Perez N. A. and Mareck J. H. (1990) Distribution and composition of Lepidopterous maize borers in southern Nigeria. Bull. Entomol. Res. 80, 363–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng W. Y., Chang C. H. and Wang Z. T. (1987) Occurrence of Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hym: Braconidae) in autumn sugarcane fields. Report of the Taiwan Sugar Research Institute 117, 31–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • CIBC (1968–72) Annual Reports of the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delattre P. (1978) Conditions d’establishment et de dispersion en Guadeloupe d’Apartteles flavipes (Hym: Braconidae), parasite des Pyrales de la canne a sucre du genre Diatraea (Lep: Pyralidae). Entomophaga 23, 43–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delobel A. (1975a) Chilo orichalcociliellus Strand (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), foreur des tiges du sorgho et du maïs a Madagascar II. Premieres donnees biologiques. ORSTOM Series Biologie 10, 11–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delobel A. (1975b) Une population hivernante de Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera Pyralidae) sur la côte ouest de Madagascar. ORSTOM Series Biologie 10, 17–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Des Vignes W. G. (1981) Aspects of the biological control of Diatraea spp. on sugar cane in Trinidad. Entomology Newsletter 18, 4–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs T. W., Huffman F. R. and Smith J. W. Jr. (1979) Introduction and establishment of Apanteles flavipes (Hym: Braconidae) on Diatraea saccharalis (Lep.: Pyralidae) in Texas. Entomophaga 24, 109–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Girling D. J. (1978) The distribution and biology of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its relationship to other stemborers in Uganda. Bull. entomol. res. 68, 471–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta B. D. (1953) Résumé of work done under the insect pestschemeduring 1946–47 to 1950–51. Indian Centre Sugarcane Commercialization, New Delhi. 111 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris K. M. (1962) Lepidopterous stem borers of cereals in Nigeria. Bull. entomol. res. 53, 139–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris K. M. and Nwanze K. F. (1992) Busseola fusca (Fuller), the African maize stalk borer: A handbook of information. Information bulletin 33. ICRISAT Patancheru, India and CABI Oxon UK. 84 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram W. R. (1958) The lepidopterous stalk-borers associated with Gramineae in Uganda. Bull. Entomol. Res. 49, 367–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kajita H. and Drake E. F. (1969) Biology of Apanteles chilonis and A. flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasites of Chilo suppressalis. Mushi 42, 163–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kfir R. (1992) Seasonal abundance of the stem borer Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its parasites on summer grain crops. J. Econ. Entomol. 85, 518–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kfir R. (1994) Attempts at biological control of the stem borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in South Africa. African Entomology 2, 67–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khana K. L., Nigam L. M. and Puri V. D. (1957) Chilo tumidicostalis Hampson, a serious stem borer of sugarcane in Bihar. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (B) 46, 75–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimani S. W. (1995) Biosystematics of the Cotesiaflavipes complex (Hym: Braconidae), parasitoids of gramineous stemborers. PhD Thesis. University of Nairobi, Kenya. 191 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimani S. W. and Overholt W. A. (1995) Biosystematics of the Cotesia flavipes complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Interspecific hybridization, sex pheromone and mating behaviour studies. Bull. entomol. res. 85, 379–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li C. S. (1970) Some aspects of the conservation of natural enemies of rice stem borers and the feasibility of harmonizing chemical and biological control of these pests in Australia. Mushi 44, 15–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lima-Filho M. G., Riscado M. and Barbosa J. T. (1979) Behaviour of the sugar-cane borer, Diatraea spp. in the State of Rio de Janeiro during the 3 year period 1975–77. Anais da sociedade entomologica do Brasil 8, 257–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathez F. C. (1972) Chilo partellus Swinh., C. orichalcociliella Strand (Lep., Crambidae) and Sesamia calamistis Hmps. (Lep., Noctuidae) on maize in the Coast Province, Kenya. Mitteilungender der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 45, 267–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mbapila J. (1994) Laboratory life tables of Cotesia spp. reared at different temperatures on Chilo partellus, p. 31. In 1994 ICIPE Annual Report. ICIPE Science Press. 199 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mbapila J. and Overholt W. A. (1997) Oviposition, development and searching behaviour of Cotesia flavipes Cameron and Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in relation to aestivating and non-aestivating Chilo spp. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in larvae in maize. African Entomology 5, 35–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meijerman L. and Ulenberg S. A. (1996) Identification of African stemborer larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Pyralidae) based on morphology. Bull. entomol. res. 86, 567–578.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohyuddin A. I., Mohamed A. and Hamid A. (1986) Biological and cultural control of sugarcane stem borers in the NWFP, pp. 251–266. In Proc. 22nd Annu. Conv. Pak. Soc. Sug. Technol. Peshawar, 19–21 September 1986. Pakistan Society of Sugar Technologists, Peshawar, Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moutia L. A. and Courtois C. M. (1952) Parasites of the moth-borers of sugar-cane in Mauritius. Bull. Entomol. Res. 43, 325–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moyal P. (1988) Crop losses due to insects in the savannah area of Ivory Coast: A review. Trop. Pest Manage. 34, 455–459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthukrishnan J. and Senthamizhselvan M. (1987) Effect of parasitization by Apanteles flavipes on the biochemical composition of Diacrisia obliqua. Insect Sci. Applic. 8, 235–238.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagarkatti S. and Nair K. R. (1973) The influence of wild and cultivated Graminae and Cyperaceae on populations of sugarcane borers and their natural enemies in North India. Entomophaga 18, 419–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neupane F. P. (1990) Status and control of Chilo spp. on cereal crops in southern Asia. Insect Sci. Applic. 11, 501–534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ngi-Song A. J. (1995) Parasitization of selected African stemborers by Cotesia flavipes Cameron and Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with emphasis on host selection and host suitability. PhD Thesis. University of Ghana, Legon. 198 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ngi-Song A. J., Overholt W. A. and Ayertey J. A. (1995) Suitability of African gramineous stemborers for development of Cotesia flavipes and C. sesamiae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Environ. Entomol. 24, 978–984.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ngi-Song A. J., Overholt W. A., Njagi P. G. N., Dicke M., Ayertey J. A. and Lwande W. (1996) Volatile infochemicals used in host and host habitat location by Cotesia flavipes Cameron and Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), larval parasitoids of stemborers on graminae. J. Chem. Ecol. 22, 307–323.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nwanze K. F. (1990) Insect pests of pearl millet in Sahelian West Africa 1. Acigona ignefusalis (Pyralidae, Lepidoptera): Distribution, population dynamics and assessment of crop damage. Trop. Pest Manage. 35, 137–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nye I. W. B. (1960) The insect pests of graminaceous crops in East Africa. Colonial Research Study 31. Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. London. 48 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oloo G. W. and Ogedah K. (1990) The incidence of Chilo partellus (Swinh.) (Pyralidae) and the contribution of natural enemies to its mortality under intercropping system in Kenya. Trop. Pest Manage. 36, 244–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Omwega C. O., Kimani S. W., Overholt W. A. and Ogol C. K. P. O. (1995) Evidence of the establishment of Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in continental Africa. Bull. entomol. Res. 85, 525–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Omwega C. O., Overholt W. A., Mbapila J. C. and Kimani-Njogu S. W. (1997) Establishment and dispersal of Cotesiaflavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an exotic endoparasitoid of Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in northern Tanzania. African Entomology 5, 71–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overholt W. A. (1993) Release of beneficial insects in Kenya. Discovery and Innovation 5, 199–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overholt W. A., Ngi-Song A. J., Kimani S. W. Mbapila J., Lammers P. M. and Kioko E. (1994a) Ecological considerations of the introduction of Cotesiaflavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for biological control of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in Africa. Biocontr. News Info. 15, 19N-24N.

  • Overholt W. A., Ogedah K. and Lammers P. M. (1994b) Distribution and sampling of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in maize and sorghum at the Kenya Coast. Bull. Entomol. Res. 84, 367–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Overholt W. A., Ochieng J. O., Lammers P. and Ogedah K. (1994c) Rearing and field release methods for Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of tropical gramineous stem borers. Insect Sci. Applic. 15, 253–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polaszek A. and Walker A. K. (1991) The Cotesiaflavipes species complex: Parasitoids of cereal stemborers in the tropics. Redia 74, 335–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potting R. P. J., Vet L. E. M. and Dicke M. (1995) Host microhabitat location by stem-borer parasitoid Cotesia flavipes: The role of herbivore volatiles and locally and systematically induced plant volatiles. J. Chem. Ecol. 21, 525–539.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajapakse R. H. S. and Kulasekare V. L. (1982) Larval parasites of rice leaffolder in southern Sri Lanka. Int. Rice Res. Newsletter 7, 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reissig W. H., Heinrichs E. A., Litsinger J. A., Moody K., Fiedler L., Mew T. W. and Barrion A. T. (1986) Illustrated Guide to Integrated Pest Management in Rice in Tropical Asia. IRRI, Los Baños, Philippines, 411 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheibelreiter G. K. (1980) Sugar-cane stem borers (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae and Noctuidae) in Ghana. Z. Angew. Entomol. 89, 87–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheites P. (1978) Ecological and physiological aspects of aestivation-diapause in the larvae of the two pyralid stalk borers of maize in Kenya. PhD Thesis. Landbouwhogeschool, Wageningen. 110 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Senthamizhsel van M. and Muthukrishnan J. (1989) Bioenergetics of Apanteles flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), aparasitoid Porthesia scintillans Walker (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Insect Sci. Applic. 10, 295–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seshu Reddy K. V. (1983) Sorghum stem borers in eastern Africa. Insect Sci. Applic. 4, 33–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seshu Reddy K. V. and Walker P. T. (1990) A review of the yield losses in graminaceous crops caused by Chilo spp. Insect Sci. Applic. 11, 563–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma A. K., Saxena J. D. and Subba Rao B. R. (1966) A catalogue of the hymenopterous and dipterous parasites of Chilo zonellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera). Indian J. Entomol. 28, 510–542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sithole S. Z. (1987) Maize insect pests in Zimbabwe, pp. 286–288. In Toward Insect Resistant Maize for the Third World. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Methodologies for Developing Host Plant Resistance to Maize Insects. Mexico, D. F. Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skovgard H. and Pats P. (1996) Effects of intercropping on maize stemborers and their natural enemies. Bull. Entomol. Res. 86, 599–608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarns W. H. T. (1932) New species of African Heterocera. Entomologist 65, 1241–1249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarns W. H. T. and Bowden J. (1953) A revision of the African species of Sesamia Guenee and related genera (Agrotidae-Lepidoptera). Bull. Entomol. Res. 43, 645–678.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usua E. J. (1987) Descriptions of the larvae and pupae of some important lepidopterous stemborers of cereals. Entomological Society of Nigeria, Occasional Publication 29, 1–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Hamburg H. (1979) The grain-sorghum stalk-borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Seasonal changes in adult populations in grain sorghum in the Transvaal. J. Entomol. Soc. Southern Africa 42, 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warui C. M. and Kuria J.N. (1983) Population incidence and the control of maize stalk-borers Chilo partellus (Swinh.) and Chilo orichalcociliellus Strand and Sesamia calamistis Hmps. in Coast Province, Kenya. Insect Sci. Applic. 4, 11–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe C. (1965) Notes on the Apanteles flavipes complex (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). Mushi 38, 111–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiedenmann R. N., Smith J. W., Jr. and Darnell P. O. (1992) Laboratory rearing and biology of the parasite Cotesia flavipes (Hymemoptera: Braconidae) using Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as a host. Environ. Entomol. 21, 1160–1167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Youm O., Gilstrap F. E. and Browning H. W. (1990) Parasitism of stem borers (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) associated with corn and sorghum in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. J. Econ. Entomol. 83, 84–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P. O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya

    W. A. Overholt, A. J. Ngi-Song, C. O. Omwega, S. W. Kimani-Njogu, J. Mbapila, M. N. Sallam & V. Ofomata

Authors
  1. W. A. Overholt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. J. Ngi-Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. O. Omwega
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. W. Kimani-Njogu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Mbapila
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. N. Sallam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. V. Ofomata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Overholt, W.A., Ngi-Song, A.J., Omwega, C.O. et al. A review of the introduction and establishment of cotesia flavipes cameron in east africa for biological Control of Cereal Stemborers. Int J Trop Insect Sci 17, 79–88 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400022190

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400022190

Key Words

Mots Clés

Search

Navigation