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A Three-Year Partial Life Table Study of the Stemborer Busseola fusca Fuller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Sorghum in the Highlands of Eritrea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Adugna Haile  and
Trond Hofsvang
Adugna Haile*
Affiliation:
University of Asmara, College of Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences, P. O. Box 1220, Asmara, Eritrea
Trond Hofsvang
Affiliation:
The Norwegian Crop Research Institute, Plant Protection Centre, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Hogskoleveien 7, N 1432 Aas, Norway
*
E-mail: trond.hofsvang@planteforsk.no
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Abstract

The population dynamics of busseola fusca (Fuller) was studied from 1997 to 1999 at Halhale and Halhal Begos, located at altitudes of 1960 and 1850 m above sea level respectively in the highlands of Eritrea. Sowing was done in early April in Halhale and late June in Halhal Begos throughout the study period. All agronomic practices recommended for sorghum production in the two areas were followed to ensure good crop stand, except for application of pesticides. A total of 15 generations, nine in Halhale and six in Halhal Begos were observed during the study periods. Busseola fusca had three and two generations per year in Halhale and Halhal Begos, respectively. Peak egg laying at Halhale was in early May, July and early September, while at Halhal Begos it was in July and early September. The study revealed that stage-specific mortalities of B. fusca were caused by infertility, disappearance (predation by ants and earwigs, lack of suitable host, abiotic factors), residuals and parasitoids. The key mortality factor was disappearance of small larvae (35–66 % mortality). The mortality of the other stages was low but had a composite effect on the overall generation mortality. The mortality of small larvae was density-dependent and density-independent at Halhale and Halhal Begos, respectively. The changes in population between generations were due to small larval mortality of B. fusca from one generation to the next. The life table study showed that mortality due to natural factors did not reduce B. fusca population below the damage level. Integrated management strategies are discussed to reduce the damage caused by B. fusca on sorghum.

Résumé

La dynamique des populations de Busseola fusca (Fuller)a été étudiée entre 1997 et 1999 à Halhale et Halhal Begos, 2 localités situées dans les hautes terres d'Erythrée, à des altitudes respectives de 1960 et 1850 m au dessus du niveau de la mer. Les semis ont été pratiqués début avril à Halhale et fin juin à Halhal Begos pendant la période d'étude. Toutes les pratiques culturales recommandées pour la production du sorgho dans les 2 localités ont été suivies afin d'assurer une bonne récolte, à l'exception des traitements insecticides. Un total de 15 générations, neuf à Halhale et six à Halhal Begos a été observé pendant la période d'étude. Busseola fusca présente 3 et 2 générations par an respectivement à Halhale et Halhal Begos. On observe le pic de ponte début mai, en juillet et début septembre à Halhale, alors qu'à Halhal Begos on l'observe en juillet et début septembre. L'étude indique que les principaux facteurs de mortalité de B. fusca sont la stérilité, la disparition (prédation par les fourmis et les perce-oreilles, absence de plante hôte convenables, facteurs abiotiques), les résidus de pesticide et les parasitoïdes. Le facteur clef de mortalité est la disparition des jeunes larves (35–66% de mortalité). La mortalité des autres stades est faible mais a un effet composite sur la mortalité de toute la génération. La mortalité des jeunes larves est densité dépendante et densité indépendante respectivement à Halhale et Halhal Begos. Les différences de niveau de population entre générations sont dues à la mortalité des jeunes larves d'une génération à l'autre. L'étude de la table de vie montre que la mortalité causée par les facteurs naturels ne réduit pas le niveau de population de B. fusca en dessous du seuil de dommage économique. On discute des méthodes de lutte intégrée permettant de réduire les dégâts causés par B. fusca sur sorgho.

Keywords

Busseola fuscasorghumpopulation dynamicskey-factor analysisBusseola fuscasorghodynamique des populationsanalyse des facteurs clés
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , September 2003 , pp. 221 - 237
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2003

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