Study on some bioecological aspects of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lep., Pyralidae) on Zea mays L. and alternative host plants

Abstract:  In an attempt to set up habitat management strategy against Eldana saccharina Walker, an economically important graminaceous stem and cob borer, two laboratory experiments were carried out. The first experiment was designed to assess oviposition preference of E. saccharina for growth stages, plant parts and freshness of different host plants and between host plants species. Zea mays L., Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf, Andropogon gayanus Kunth, Panicum maximum Jacq., Pennisetum polystachion (Linn.) and Cyperus papyrus L. were assessed. Results showed that E. saccharina preferred wild grasses to maize for oviposition. More than 94% eggs were laid on wild grasses. Of all tested grasses, P. polystachion was the most attractive with more than 30% of collected eggs. For all plant species, post-tasseling stage was more attractive than the tasseling and pre-tasseling ones. More than 90% of total eggs were laid on dry leaves and sheaths and less than 10% on fresh leaves. Different characteristics relating to population dynamics of E. saccharina were assessed in the second experiment. Larval survival rate was 10% on Z. mays , 0.50% on S. arundinaceum and around 0% on the other wild grasses. Larval development length was longer on S. arundinaceum than on Z. mays . Females reared on Z. mays were three times more fecund than those reared on S. arundinaceum . Complete life table of females from larvae reared on Z. mays was studied.