Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T04:28:40.977Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Prospects for biological control of Chilo partellus in grain crops in South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Rami Kfir
Rami Kfir
Affiliation:
ARC – Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Pretoria 0001, South Africa, email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) was first recorded in South Africa in 1958 and became a major pest of maize and grain sorghum. It has invaded the main maize producing areas in the Highveld Region, gradually competitively displacing the indigenous Busseola fusca (Fuller). Between 1980 and 1993 two egg, seven larval and two pupal parasitoids were introduced for biological control of Ch. partellus. Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Braconidae), Paratheresia claripalpis van der Wulp (Tachinidae), Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Eulophidae) and Xanthopimpla stemmator Thunberg (Ichneumonidae) were released and recovered from the field. Recoveries were made up to a few weeks after releases but parasitoids failed to survive the winter and establish. The harsh winter conditions in the release sites, the long larval diapause period of Ch. partellus, lack of synchronisation between the development of the parasitoids and that of their host larvae, and absence of alternative host plants were identified as the main obstacles for the parasitoids establishment. It is concluded that the prospects of achieving any degree of biological control of stemborers in the Highveld Region with parasitoids from the tropics are poor. A parasitoid from a temperate zone of the USA, Macrocentrus grandii Goidanich (Braconidae), was introduced recently into South Africa and is currently reared on Ch. partellus in quarantine. Macrocentrus grandii stays dormant in its diapausing host, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), during winter to emerge in spring. Because of its ability to diapause in winter it is hoped that after releases, M. grandii will establish on Ch. partellus in the Highveld Region of South Africa.

Résumé

Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) a été collecté pour la première fois en Afrique du Sud en 1958, depuis lors il est devenu le ravageur le plus important sur maïs et sorgho. Il a envahi la principale région productrice du maïs dans la région de haute altitude et graduellement a remplacé l'espèce locale Busseola fusca (Fuller). Entre 1980 and 1993 deux parasitoïdes des oeufs, sept larvaires et deux des pupes ont été introduits dans le cadre de la lutte biologique contre Ch. partellus. Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Braconidae), Paratheresia claripalpis van der Wulp (Tachinidae), Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Eulophidae) et Xanthopimpla stemmator Thunberg (Ichneumonidae) ont été lâchées et re-collectés des champs. Les recollections ont duré quelques semaines après les lâchées, mais les parasitoïdes n'ont pas pu survivre l'hivers et s'acclimater. Les sévères conditions hivernales dans les sites où ont eu lieu les lâchées, la longue diapause de Ch. partellus, le manque de synchronie entre le dévéloppement des parasitoïdes et celui de la larve du ravageur et l'absence des plantes hôtes intermediaires sont cités comme les principaux obstacles à l'acclimatation des parasitoïdes. On en conclut que les possibilities de succes de la lutte biologique avec des parasitoïdes contre les foreurs dans la région de haute altitude sont très faibles. Un parasitoïde d'une zone tempérée aux USA, Macrocentrus grandii Goidanich (Braconidae), a été récemment introduit en Afrique du Sud et est élevé sur Ch. partellus en quarantaine. Pendant l'hivers, Macrocentrus grandii entre en dormance dans son hôte en diapause, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), et émerge au printemps. A cause de cette capacité d'entree en diapause pendant l'hivers, on espère qu'après les lâchées M. grandii pourrait s'adapter et s'acclimater sur Ch. partellus dans la région de haute altitude de l'Afrique du Sud.

Keywords

Chilo partellusstemborerparasitoidbiological controlSouth AfricaChilo partellusforeurparasitoïdelutte biologiqueAfrique du Sud
Type
Review Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 21 , Issue 4 , December 2001 , pp. 275 - 280
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2001

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alam, M. M., Bennet, F. D. and Carl, K. P. (1971) Biological control of Diatreae saccharalis (F.) in Barbados by Apanteles flavipes Cam. and Lixophaga diatraea Tns. Entomophaga 16, 151–158.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Anonymous (1986) Climate of South Africa. Weather Bureau, Dept. Environment Affairs, Government Printer, Pretoria.Google Scholar
Bate, R., van Rensburg, G. D. J. and Giliomee, J. H. (1991) Distribution and occurrence of the stem-borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on maize in South Africa. J. Afr. Zool. 105, 11–15.Google Scholar
Bleszynski, S. (1970) A revision of the world species of Chilo Zincken (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Bull. Brit Mus. Nat. Hist., Entomol. 25, 101–195.Google Scholar
C.A.B. (1989) Distribution maps of Pests, Series A (Agriculture) no. 184, International Institute of Entomology, London.Google Scholar
Clausen, C.P. (Ed.) (1978) Introduced parasites and predators of arthropod pests and weeds; a world review. U.S. Dept. Agr. Agricultural handbook 480, 545 pp.Google Scholar
Hailemichael, Y., Smith, J.W. Jr and Wiedenmann, R.N. (1994) Host-finding behavior, host acceptance, and host suitability of the parasite Xanthopimpla stemmator. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 71, 155–166.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, K.M. (1989) Bioecology of sorghum stemborers, pp. 63–71. In International Workshop on Sorghum Stemborers, 17–20 Nov 1987, ICRISAT, India.Google Scholar
Hoekstra, N. and Kfir, R. (1997) Microbial pathogens of the cereal stemborers Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in South Africa. African Entomology 5, 161–163.Google Scholar
Jepson, W.F. (1954) A Critical Review of the World Literature on the Lepidopterous Stalk Borers of Tropical Graminaceous Crops. Commonw. Inst. Entomol., London, 127 pp.Google Scholar
Kfir, R. (1988) Hibernation by the lepidopteran stalk borers, Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus on grain sorghum. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 48, 31–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kfir, R. (1990a) Parasites of the spotted stalk borer, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in South Africa. Entomophaga 35, 403–410.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kfir, R. (1990b) Prospects for cultural control of the stalk borers, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and Busseola fusca (Fuller), in summer grain crops in South Africa, J. Entomol. Soc. Sth. Afr. 53, 41–47.Google Scholar
Kfir, R., (1991a) Selecting parasites for biological control of lepidopterous stalk borers in summer grain crops in South Africa. Redia 74(3), 231–236.Google Scholar
Kfir, R. (1991b) Duration of diapause in the stemborers, Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 61, 265–270.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kfir, R. (1992) Seasonal abundance of the stemborer Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its parasites on summer grain crops, J. Econ. Entomol. 85, 518–529.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kfir, R. (1994) Attempts at biological control of the stemborer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in South Africa. African Entomology 2, 67–68.Google Scholar
Kfir, R. (1997a) Competitive displacement of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 90, 619–624.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kfir, R. (1997b) Natural control of the cereal stemborers Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus in South Africa. Insect Sci. Applic. 17, 61–67.Google Scholar
Kfir, R., Gouws, J. and Moore, S.D. (1993) Biology of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) a facultative hyperparasite of stemborers. Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 3, 149–159.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kfir, R., van Hamburg, H. and van Vuuren, R. (1989a) Effect of stubble treatment on the post-diapause emergence of the stalk borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Crop Protection 8, 289–292.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kfir, R., Graham, D.Y. and van Vuuren, R. (1989b) An improved method for mass rearing Paratheresia claripalpis for biological control of lepidopteran stalk borers. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 51, 37–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mbapila, J. C. (1997) Comparative seasonal adaptation of Cotesia flavipes Cameron and Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on the Kenya coast. PhD thesis. University of Dar es Salaam.Google Scholar
Mbapila, J. C. 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) larvae in maize. African Entomology 5, 35–39.Google Scholar
Mohyuddin, A.I. (1971) Comparative biology and ecology of Apanteles flavipes (Cam.) and A. sesamiae Cam. as parasites of graminaceous borers. Bull. Entomol. Res. 59, 681–689.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mohyuddin, A.I. and Greathead, D.J. (1970) An annotated list of the parasites of graminaceous stem-borers in East Africa, with discussion of their potential in biological control. Entomophaga 15, 241–274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ngi-Song, A.J., Overholt, W.A. and Ayertey, J.N. (1995) Suitability of African graminaceous stemborers for development of Cotesia flavipes and C. sesamiae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Environ. Entomol. 24, 978–984.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ngi-Song, A.J., Overholt, W.A., Njagi, P.G.N., Dicke, M., Ayertey, J.N. 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 in Graminae. J. Chem. Ecol. 22, 307–322.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nye, I.W.B. (1960) The insect pests of gramineous crops in East Africa. Colonial Research Studies 31. HMSO, London. 48 pp.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.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Overholt, W. A., Ngi-Song, A.J., Omwega, C.O., Kimani-Njogu, S.W., Mbapila, J., Sallam, M.N. and Ofomata, V. (1997) A review of the introduction and establishment of Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in East Africa for biological control of cereal stemborers. Insect Sci. Applic. 17, 79–88.Google Scholar
Parker, H.L. (1931) Macrocentrus gifuensis Ashmead, a polyembryonic braconid parasite in the European corn borer. U.S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bull. 230, 62 pp.Google Scholar
Potting, R. P. J., Vet, L. E. M. and Dicke, M. (1995) Host microhabitat location by the stem-borer parasitoid Cotesia flavipes: the role of herbivore volatiles and locally and systematically induced plant volatiles, J. Client. Ecol. 21, 525–539.Google Scholar
Rao, V. P. (1965) Natural enemies of rice stemborers and allied species in various parts of the world and possibilities of their use in biological control of rice stemborers in Asia. Tech. Bull. Commonw. Inst. Biol. Contr. 6, 1–68.Google Scholar
Rao, V.P., Ghani, M.A. and Mathur, K.C. (1971) A review of the biological control of insects in South-East Asia and the Pacific Region. Tech. Commun. Commonw. Inst. Biol. Contr. 6, 196 pp.Google Scholar
Scheites, P. (1978) The condition of the host plant during aestivation-diapause of the stalk borers Chilo partellus and Chilo oriclialcociliella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) in Kenya. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 24, 479–488.Google Scholar
Sharma, A. K., Saxena, J. D. and Subba Rao, B. B. (1967) A catalogue of the hymenopterous and dipterous parasites of Chilo zonnelus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera). Indian J. Entomol. 28, 511–541.Google Scholar
Skoreszewski, R. W. and van Hamburg, H. (1987) The release of Apanteles flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against stalk-borers of maize and grain-sorghum in South Africa, J. Entomol. Soc. S. Afr. 50, 249–255.Google Scholar
Taley, Y.M. and Thakare, K.R. (1980) Notes on the population dynamics in carry-over of Chilo partellus Swinhoe. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 50, 635–637.Google Scholar
Tams, W.H.T. (1932) New species of African Heterocera. Entomologist 65, 1241–1249.Google Scholar
van Hamburg, H. (1976) The bionomie en ekonomiese belangrikheid van die graansorghum-stamruspe, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). DSc dissertation, Pretoria Univ. Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.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. S. Afr. 42, 1–9.Google Scholar
van Hamburg, H. (1980) The grain sorghum stalk borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Survival and location of larvae at different infestation levels in plants of different ages. J. Entomol. Soc. S. Afr. 43, 71–76.Google Scholar
van Hamburg, H. (1986) A biological control approach to pest management in grain crops with special reference to the control of stalk borers. Tech. Commun. Dept. Agric. Water Supply Rep. S. Afr. 212, 52–55.Google Scholar
Van Rensburg, G. D. J. and Bate, R. (1987) Preliminary studies on the relative abundance and distribution of the stalk borers Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus. Tech. Commun. Dep. Agric. Wat. Supply Rep. S. Afr. 212, 49–52.Google Scholar
Vinson, J. (1942) Biological control of Diatraea mauriciella Wlk. in Mauritius. I. Investigations in Cylon in 1939. Bull. Entomol. Res. 33, 39–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watmough, R.H. and Kfir, R. (1995) Predation on pupae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and its relation to stemborer numbers in summer grain crops, J. Appl. Entomol. 119, 679–688.CrossRefGoogle Scholar