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Possibilities for integrated control of the millet stem borer, Acigona ignefusalis Hampson (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) in Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Olupomi Ajayi
Olupomi Ajayi
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Protection, Institute for Agricultural Research, P.M.B. 1044, Samaru, Nigeria
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Abstract

The millet stem borer, Acigona ignefusalis Hampson, can cause total crop failures when severe infestations occur such as happened in northern Nigeria in 1984. Research at the Institute for Agricultural Research at Samaru has shown that various millet types and varieties exhibit different levels of susceptibility to the stem borer, although no resistant varieties are yet available. Infestation and damage by the stem borer are strongly influenced by date of planting and rate and time of nitrogen fertilizer. The effect of mixed cropping with sorghum depends on the spatial arrangement of the component crops in the mixture as well as on the insect population pressure. Systemic insecticides, particularly granular carbofuran, have been found to control the stem borer more effectively than contact insecticides like carbaryl. Seed dressing with carbofuran has been found to be ineffective. Some natural enemies of the stem borer have been identified but their role in lowering damage to millet is minimal. The destruction of infested stems before the beginning of the rainy season is a very important control measure against the insect. The possibilities of integrating these various methods for stem borer control are discussed.

Résumé

Le foreur des tiges du mil, Acigona ignefusalis Hampson, peut causer des pertes totales des cultures quand des infestations sévères se produisent comme c'était arrivé au nord du Nigeria en 1984. La recherche à l'Institut de Recherche agricole à Samaru a montré que differents types et varietés du mil montrent differents niveaux de susceptibilite au foreur des tiges, bien que des variétés resistantes ne soient pas encore disponibles. L'infestation et la dommage par le foreur des tiges sont fortement influencés par la date de semis et le taux et le temps d'application d'engrais azoté. L'effet de culture associée avec le sorgho depend apparemment de l'arrangement spatial des cultures dans l'association aussi bien que de la pression de la population d'insectes. Les insecticides systemiques, particulièrement le carbofuran granulaire, ont été trouvés plus efficaces dans le contrôle du foreur des tiges que des insecticides de contact comme carbaryl. Envelopper les semences avec le carbofuran a été trouvé inefficace. Des ennemis naturels du foreur des tiges ont été identifiés mais leur rôle dans la reduction du dommages sur le mil est moindre. La destruction des tiges infestées avant le debut de la saison des pluies est une mesure de contrôle très importante contre l'insecte. Les possibilités d'integrer ces differentes methodes de contrôle de foreur des tiges sont discutées.

Keywords

Integrated controlmilletstem borerAcigona ignefusalisPennisetumContrôle integrémilforeur des tigesAcigona ignefusalisPennisetum
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , April 1990 , pp. 109 - 117
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1990

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References

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