Abundance, diversity and richness of natural enemies of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Zambia

Frontiers in Insect Science

Insect Science

Fathiya Mbarak Khamis¹  Robert Copeland¹  Saliou Niassy¹  Levi Ombura¹  Subramanian Sevgan¹  Patrick C. Chikoti²  Paul W. Kachapulula³  Gilson Chipabika³  Philemon H. Sohati³  Tamara K. Tonga³ 

[1] Department of Plant health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya;Plant Protection Division, Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Mount Makulu Research Station, Lusaka, Zambia;School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Science, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia;

关键词: fall armyworm;    agroecological region;    parasitoids;    predators;    biological control;    Zambia;   

DOI  :  10.3389/finsc.2023.1091084

 received in 2022-11-06, accepted in 2023-06-26,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, an invasive pest originating from the Americas is a serious pest threatening cereal production and food security in Zambia. We studied the prevalence and abundance of natural enemies of FAW in three Agroecological regions (AERs I, II, and III) to identify those that could potentially serve as bio-control agents. Sampling of FAW parasitoids and predators was done along trunk roads at intervals of 10 km. Molecular sequence analysis and morphological characterization were used to identify natural enemies. Over 11 species of FAW natural enemies, including egg, egg-larval, and larval parasitoids, and predators, were identified in Zambia. The mean number of natural enemies and species richness was higher in AER I and IIa. Consequently, egg parasitism was highest in those two regions, at 24.5% and 12.2%, respectively. Larvae parasitism was highest in AER I (4.8%) and AER III (1.9), although no significant differences were observed. The most abundant and widely distributed parasitoid was Drino sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae), while Rhynocoris segmentarius (Germar) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and Belanogaster sp. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) were the most prevalent predators. Our study reveals the presence of two natural enemies belonging to the genus Tiphia and Micromeriella, uncommon to FAW. Significant differences in the number of parasitoids were observed in polycropping, with the highest recovery of 12 ± 10% from maize + cowpeas + pumpkin and watermelon mixed cropping. The higher the rainfall, the lower the number of natural enemies recorded. Variations in rainfall patterns which affect FAW availability, cropping systems and the three AERs may explain natural enemies’ species diversity in Zambia. The information provided in this study can aid the development of a national biological control programme for sustainable management of fall armyworm.

【 授权许可】

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Copyright © 2023 Chipabika, Sohati, Khamis, Chikoti, Copeland, Ombura, Kachapulula, Tonga, Niassy and Sevgan