Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-14T06:00:32.681Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Distribution of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the frequency of larval outbreaks in Africa and Arabia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Margaret J. Haggis
Margaret J. Haggis
Affiliation:
Tropical Development and Research Institute, College House, Wrights Lane, London, W8 5SJ, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Spodoptera exempta (Walker) occurs very widely in Africa south of the Sahara and in south-western Arabia, and more intermittently in the eastern Indian Ocean and Pacific areas. Throughout its range, the extent and frequency of its attacks have increased markedly, especially in the last 10–15 years. In parts of Africa and in south-western Arabia it is now regularly a seasonally important pest; examples are given of monthly distribution maps of the frequency of its attacks in this region. Maps such as these provide a useful and wide-based perspective for those concerned with prediction, survey and control of S. exempta in a more limited area and with little or no access to information from other territories. Year to year variations within the general patterns derived from many years' records are illustrated by the distribution of outbreaks in three recent seasons, in all of which there were outbreaks in at least seven countries of central and eastern Africa, in two years in Arabia, and in one year also in southern and western Africa.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 76 , Issue 1 , March 1986 , pp. 151 - 170
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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

Aidley, D. J. (1974). Migratory capability of the African armyworm moth, Spodoptera exempta (Walk.).—E. Afr. agric. For. J. 40, 202–203.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baker, G. L. (1978). An outbreak of Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.—Papua New Guin. agric. J. 29, 11–25.Google Scholar
Betts, E. (1968). Seasonal changes in distribution, and their relation to weather factors.—Rec. Res. E. Afr. Agric. For. Res. Org. 1967, 110–111.Google Scholar
Betts, E. (1976). Forecasting infestations of tropical migrant pests: the desert locust and the African armyworm.—pp. 113–134 in Rainey, R. C. (Ed.). Insect flight.-287 pp. Oxford, Blackwell Scientific (Symp. R. Ent. Soc. no. 7).Google Scholar
Betts, E. & Odiyo, P. (1968). A preliminary note on the use of light trap data for forecasting outbreaks.—Rec. Res. E. Afr. Agric. For. Res. Org. 1967, 111–112.Google Scholar
Betts, E., Rainey, R. C., Brown, E. S., Mohamed, A. K. A. & Odiyo, P. (1970). Inauguration of an experimental armyworm forecasting service in East Africa.—Rec. Res. E. Afr. Agric. For. Res. Org. 1969, 110–112.Google Scholar
Blair, B. W. (1972). An outbreak of African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), in Rhodesia during December 1971 and January 1972.—Rhod. J. agric. Res. 10, 159–168.Google Scholar
Blair, B. W. & Catling, H. D. (1974). Outbreaks of African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), in Rhodesia, South Africa, Botswana and South West Africa from February to April 1972.—Rhod. J. agric. Res. 12, 57–67.Google Scholar
Blair, B. W., Rose, D. J. W. & Law, A. B. (1980). Synoptic weather associated with outbreaks of African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), in Zimbabwe during 1973 and 1976/77.—Zimbabwe Journal of Agricultural Research 18, 95–110.Google Scholar
Brown, E. S. (1962). The African army worm Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae): a review of the literature.—57 pp. London, Commonw. Inst. Ent.Google Scholar
Brown, E. S. (1963). Armyworm research.—Rec. Res. E. Afr. Agric. For. Res. Org. 1962, 57.Google Scholar
Brown, E. S., Betts, E. & Rainey, R. C. (1969). Seasonal changes in distribution of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) (Lep., Noctuidae), with special reference to eastern Africa.—Bull. ent. Res. 58, 661–728.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, E. S. & Dewhurst, C. F. (1975). The genus Spodoptera (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Africa and the Near East.—Bull. ent. Res. 65, 221–262.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, E. S., Odiyo, P., Gachegua, L. K., Kinyanjui, N., Gichuru, J. & Muriu, J. (1966). Armyworm.—Rec. Res. E. Afr. Agric. For. Res. Org. 1965, 160–171.Google Scholar
Brown, E. S. & Swaine, G. (1966). New evidence on the migration of moths of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae).—Bull. ent. Res. 56, 671–684.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CIE (Commonwealth Institute of Entomology) (1972). Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.).—Distrib. Maps Insect Pests no. 53 (revised).Google Scholar
Cooter, R. J. (1983). A device, and preliminary observations, for recording orientation responses of flying moths.—pp. 103–109 in Nachtigall, W. (Ed.). Physiology and biophysics of insect flight. Vol. 1.—135 pp. Stuttgart, Fischer (BIONA report 1).Google Scholar
Delobel, A. (1978). Une pullulation de Spodoptera exempta Walker sur la côte occidentale de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (Lepidoptères Noctuidae).—Cah. ORSTOM, Sér. Biol. 13, 333–338.Google Scholar
Fao (Food & Agriculture Organization) (1980). Discours de la mission Guinéenne à la vingtième session du groupe intergourvernmental sur les céréales, Rome, du 24 au 29 Février 1980.—6 pp. FAO Comité des produits (unpublished report).Google Scholar
Fao (Food & Agriculture Organization) (1982a). Sierra Leone: report of survey on plant protection, 12–14 06 1981.—52 pp. Rome, FAO (AGP: IPP/81/7).Google Scholar
Fao (Food & Agriculture Organization) (1982b). Solomon Islands: the armyworm, Spodoptera (Laphygma) exempta.—Quarterly Newsletter, FAO Plant Protection Committee for the South East Asia and Pacific Region 25, 5.Google Scholar
Faure, J. C. (1943). Phase variation in the army worm Laphygma exempta (Walk.).—Sci. Bull. Dep. Agric. For. Un. S. Afr. no. 234, 17 pp.Google Scholar
Fox, K. J. (1971). Migrant Lepidoptera in New Zealand 1970–1971.—N. Z. Ent. 5, 59–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fox, K. J. (1973). Migrant Lepidoptera in New Zealand 1972–1973.—N. Z. Ent. 5, 268–271.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gatehouse, A. G. (in press). Migration of the African armyworm Spodoptera exempta: genetic determination of migratory capacity and a new synthesis.—in Danthanarayana, W. (Ed.). Insect flight, dispersal and migration.—Springer Verlag.Google Scholar
Gatehouse, A. G. & Hackett, D. S. (1980). A technique for studying flight behaviour of tethered Spodoptera exempta moths.—Physiol. Entomol. 5, 215–222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haggis, M. J. (1984). Distribution, frequency of attack and seasonal incidence of the African armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Walk.) (Lep.: Noctuidae), with particular reference to Africa and southwestern Arabia.—116 pp. London, Trop. Dev. Res. Inst. (L69).Google Scholar
Hattingh, C. C. (1941). The biology and ecology of the army worm (Laphygma exempta) and its control in South Africa.—Sci. Bull. Dep. Agric. For. Un. S. Afr. no. 217, 50 pp.Google Scholar
Hayashi, K. & Suzuki, H. (1978). Note on the transoceanic insects captured on East China Sea in 1977.—Tropical Medicine 20, 131–142.Google Scholar
Holloway, J. D. (1982). On the Lepidoptera of the Cocos-Keeling Islands in the Indian Ocean, with a review of the Nagia linteola complex (Noctuidae).—Entomologia Generalis 8, 99–110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kalshoven, L. G. E. (1951). De Plagen van de Cultuurgewassen in Indonesië. Vol. 11.—pp. 515–1065. 's-Gravenhage/Bandoeng, N.V. Uitgeverij w. van Hoeve.Google Scholar
Khasimuddin, S. (1978). Some basic ecological studies on the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta.—Annual Report, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology no. 5, 7–9.Google Scholar
Kisimoto, R. (1976). Synoptic weather conditions inducing long-distance immigration of planthoppers, Sogatella furcifera Horváth and Nilaparvata lugens Stål—Ecol. Entomol. 1, 95–109.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Laird, M. (1962). A flight of insects in the Gulf of Aden.—Proc. XI Int. Congr. Ent. 3, 35–36.Google Scholar
Lamb, H. H. (1966). Climate in the 1960’s: changes in the world’s wind circulation reflected in prevailing temperatures, rainfall patterns and the levels of the African lakes.—Geogrl J. 132, 183–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lamb, H. H. (1979). [Contribution to Discussion].—pp. 340–342 in Rainey, R. C., Betts, E. & Lumley, A. The decline of the desert locust plague in the 1960s: control operations or natural causes?—pp. 315–344 in Gunn, D. L. & Rainey, R. C. (Orgs.). Strategy and tactics of control of migrant pests.—Phil. Trans. R. Soc. (B) 287, 245–488.Google Scholar
Matthee, J. J. (1946). A study of the phases of the army worm (Laphygma exempta Walk.).—J. ent. Soc. sth. Afr. 9, 60–77.Google Scholar
Matthee, J. J. (1952). The occurrence of the army worm [Laphygma exempta (Walk)] in and around Pretoria.—J. ent. Soc. sth. Afr. 15, 122–128.Google Scholar
Nyirenda, G. K. C. (1985). Persistent populations of males of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Malawi.—Bull. ent. Res. 75, 405–415.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Odiyo, P. O. (1972). Reliability of the first full scale forecasting service.—Rec. Res. E. Afr. Agric. For. Res. Org. 1971, 200–202.Google Scholar
Odiyo, P. O. (1979). Forecasting infestations of a migrant pest: the African armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Walk.),—pp. 403–413 in Gunn, D. L. & Rainey, R. C. (Orgs.). Strategy and tactics of control of migrant pests.—Phil. Trans. R. Soc. (B) 287, 245–488.Google Scholar
Odiyo, P. O. (1981). Development of the first outbreaks of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walk.), between Kenya and Tanzania during the ‘off-season’ months of July to December.—Insect Sci. Applic. 1, 305–318.Google Scholar
Parker, W. E. & Gatehouse, A. G. (1985). Genetic factors controlling flight performance and migration in the African armyworm moth, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).—Bull. ent. Res. 75, 49–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pedgley, D. E. (Ed.) (1981). Desert locust forecasting manual. Volume 1—268 pp. London, Centre for Overseas Pest Research.Google Scholar
Peedgley, D. E., Reyonolds, D. R., Riley, J. R. & Tucker, M. R. (1982). Flying insects reveal small-scale wind systems.—Weather, Lond. 37, 295–306.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Persson, B. (1981). Population fluctuations of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in outdoor cages in Kenya.—Bull. ent. Res. 71, 289–297.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rainey, R. C. (1963). Meteorology and the migration of desert locusts. Applications of synoptic meteorology in locust control.—Tech. Notes Wid met. Org. no. 54, 115 pp.Google Scholar
Rainey, R. C. (1979). Control of the armyworm Spodoptera exempta in eastern Africa and southern Arabia. Report of a mission to formulate an inter-regional project.—23 pp. Rome, FAO (AGPP: MISC/32).Google Scholar
Rainey, R. C. (1981). Armyworm in Sierra Leone: 1979 and some implications.—2 pp. Report to FAO Locust Control and Emergency Operations (unpublished).Google Scholar
Riehl, H. (1979). Climate and weather in the tropics.—611 pp. London, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Riley, J. R., Reynolds, D. R. & Farmery, M. J. (1983). Observations of the flight behaviour of the armyworm moth, Spodoptera exempta, at an emergence site using radar and infra-red optical techniques.—Ecol. Entomol. 8, 395–418.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rose, D. J. W. (1975). Field development and quality changes in successive generations of Spodoptera exempta Wlk., the African armyworm.—J. appl. Ecol. 12, 727–739.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rose, D. J. W. (1979). The significance of low-density populations of the African armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Walk.).—pp. 393–402 in Gunn, D. L. & Rainey, R. C. (Orgs.). Strategy and tactics of control of migrant pests.—Phil. Trans. R. Soc. (B) 287, 245–488.Google Scholar
Rose, D. J. W. (1981). Warning system for armyworm in Africa: physical and biological considerations.—pp. 168–170 in Kommendahl, T. (Ed.). Proceedings of symposia. IX International Congress of Plant Protection, Washington, D.C. U.S.A., 08 5–11, 1979. Volume 1. Plant protection: fundamental aspects.—411 pp. Minneapolis, Minnesota, Burgess Publishing Co.Google Scholar
Rose, D. J. W. & Dewhurst, C. F. (1979). The African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta—congregation of moths in trees before flight.—Entomologia exp. appl. 26, 346–348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rose, D. J. W. & Law, A. B. (1976). The synoptic weather in relation to an outbreak of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.).—J. ent. Soc. sth. Afr. 39, 125–130.Google Scholar
Smee, C. (1943). Army worm or swarming caterpillars (Laphygma exempta, Wlk.).—Nyasald agric. Q. J. 3 (4), 1–14.Google Scholar
Sugi, S. (1970). The Noctuidae of the Ryukyu Islands. Part I. Trifidae (Lepidoptera).—Tinea 8, 213–229.Google Scholar
Sugi, S. (1976). An example of Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) found in Japan.—Kontyû 44, 385.Google Scholar
Szent Ivany, J. J. H. & Stevens, R. M. (1966). Insects associated with Coffea arabica and some other crops in the Wau-Bulolo area of New Guinea.—Papua New Guin. agric. J. 18, 101–119.Google Scholar
Thompson, B. W. (1965). The climate of Africa.—132 pp. Nairobi, Oxford Univ. Press.Google Scholar
Tucker, M. R. (1983). Light-trap catches of African armyworm moths. Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in relation to rain and wind.—Bull. ent. Res. 73, 315–319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tucker, M. R. (1984). Forecasting the severity of armyworm seasons in East Africa from early season rainfall.—Insect Sci. Applic. 5, 51–55.Google Scholar
Tucker, M. R. & Pedgley, D. E. (1983). Rainfall and outbreaks of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).—Bull. ent. Res. 73, 195–199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van der Goot, P. (1931). Laphygma exempta Walker, een legerrupsenplaag bij padi en maïs in 1930.—Korte Meded. Inst. PlZiekt. Buitenz. no. 17, 12 pp.Google Scholar
Viette, P. (1962). Noctuelles trifides de Madagascar, écologie, biogéeographic, morphologie et taxonomie (Lep.).—Annls Soc. ent. Fr. 131, 294 pp.Google Scholar
Whellan, J. A. (1954). The African army worm and its control.—Rhodesia agric. J. 51, 415–427.Google Scholar
Yarro, J. (1978). The larval food plant and phenotypical variation in the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta.—Annual Report, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology no. 5, 10–12.Google Scholar
Yarro, J. G. (1984). Life and fertility tables for Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae).—Insect Sci. Applic. 5, 303–305.Google Scholar
Zimmerman, E. C. (1958). Macrolepidoptera.—Insects Hawaii 7, 542 pp.Google Scholar