Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T07:35:45.704Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Rainfall and outbreaks of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

M. R Tucker  and
D. E Pedgley
M. R Tucker
Affiliation:
Tropical Development and Research Institute, College House, Wright's Lane, London W8 5SJ, UK
D. E Pedgley
Affiliation:
Tropical Development and Research Institute, College House, Wright's Lane, London W8 5SJ, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

From estimates of the most likely egg–laying dates of 53 outbreaks of Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) in East Africa, and from estimates of the likelihood of rainstorms (20 mm or more a day) at the outbreak sites around those dates, it is shown that concentrated laying by moths leading to outbreaks early in the season (January to March) in 1974–75 was associated with rainstorms at the time of oviposition. However, there was no such association in April and May. The mechanism of association is unknown; moths may be concentrated whilst airborne, or they may reach and stay in limited areas wetted by rain, where new grass growth might be expected.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 73 , Issue 2 , June 1983 , pp. 195 - 199
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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

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 J. agric. Res. 18, 95–110.Google Scholar
Brown, E. S., Betts, E. & Rainey, R. C. (1969). Season changes in distribution of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) (Lep., Noctuidae), with special reference to East Africa. — Bull. ent.Res. 58, 661–728.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, E. SOdiyo, P. (1968). The rate of feeding of the African army worm Spodoptera exempta (Walk.) and its significance for control operations. — E. Afr. agric. For. J. 33, 245–256.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Khasimuddin, S.. (1981). Behavioural ecology of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker): observations on population processes during a high-density outbreak. — Insect Sci. Applic. 1, 143–146.Google Scholar
Nieuwolt, S. (1974). Rainstorm distributions in Tanzania. — Geogr. Annlr. 56A, 241–250.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
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.). — Phil. Trans. R. Soc.(B) 287, 393–402.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