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Management of Cereal Stem Borers, Especially Chilo Partellus, Using Microsporidia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

M. O. Odindo
M. O. Odindo
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P. O. Box 30, Mbita, South Nyanza, Kenya
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Abstract

Lepidopteran stem borers account for heavy losses in cereals in areas where they are prevalent throughout Africa. Microsporidia, especially Nosema sp. may be developed for use in the management of this group of insect pests. Studies carried out so far show that the application of Nosema spores may increase yield up to 34% in sorghum when the plants are infested with Chilo partellus eggs and sprayed with the pathogen, and up to 80% in sorghum infested with borer larvae.

The procedure for spore production is simple, and may easily be adapted for small scale industrial production by local or regional communities and organizations. In trials aimed at the mass production of Nosema sp. for the management of C. partellus, a yield of 109 spores/larva has been attained. If this production level can be maintained, then a system that produces only 6000 larvae/day would yield enough cadavers for preparation of 6000 1 daily. At the rate in which the pathogen suspension is applied as foliar sprays in the field, this would be sufficient to treat 5373 ha. If widely adopted, use of microsporidia would revolutionize cereal stem borer management in the tropics.

Résumé

Les Lépidoptères foreurs de tiges sont responsables des pertes énormes dans la production de mais, sorgho, tef, millet et d'autres céréales dans les régions où ils sont prédominants a travers l'Afrique. Les Microsporidies, particulierement Nosema sp. peuvent être développées pour la lutte contre les foreurs de tiges. Les études conduites jusqu' à ce jour montrent que l'application des spores de Nosema peut augmenter la production de sorgho jusqu' à 34%, lorsque les plantes sont infestées avec les pontes de Chilo partellus puis traitees avec le pathogène. L'augmentation de la production est de l'ordre de 80% dans le cas où les plantes sont infestées avec les larves.

Le procédé de production des spores est simple, et peut être facilement adapté pour les petites entreprises par les communautés et organisations régionales. Dans la présente étude, une production de 109 spores/larve a été obtenue. Dans le cas où ce niveau de production peut être maintenu, alors un procédé susceptible de ne produire que 6000 larves par jour, produirait suffisamment de cadavres pour la préparation de 6000I par jour. A la concentration à laquelle le pathogène est pulverisé sur le substrat foliaire au champ, il serait possible de traiter 5373 ha. Dans le cas où le concept de lutte biologique est largement adopté, l'emploi des microsporidies pourrait révolutionner la lutte contre les foreurs de tiges.

Keywords

Managementcereal stem borersChilo partellusmicrosporidiaNosema sp. productionformulation
Type
Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 12 , Issue 1-2-3: Current Topics in Tropical Entomology , June 1991 , pp. 51 - 55
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1991

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