Abstract
Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest of maize and sorghum in sub-Saharan Africa. One century after its first description by Fuller in 1901, inaccurate information based on earlier reports are still propagated on its distribution (e.g., absent from the lower altitudes in East Africa) and host plant range (e.g., feeding on a large range of wild grass species). This review provides updated information on the biology, distribution and genetics of B. fusca with emphasis on insect-plant interactions. Related to this, new avenues of stem borer management are proposed.
Highlights
Busseola fusca was first mentioned as Sesamia fusca in a report by Fuller in 1901 [1] and described under the same name by Hampson in 1902 [2]
In South Africa, before the advent of genetically modified (GM) Bt-maize, B. fusca often occurred in mixed populations with another stem borer, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) [7]
Kfir [46] speculated that B. fusca tended to avoid plants, which were previously infested by C. partellus, both species are often recorded on the same plant [7,43,44]
Summary
Busseola fusca was first mentioned as Sesamia fusca in a report by Fuller in 1901 [1] and described under the same name by Hampson in 1902 [2]. In Kenya alone, losses due to B. fusca damage on maize fluctuate around 14% on average [8], while in the humid forest zone of Cameroon losses of around 40% are common in monocropped maize fields [9,10,11] This pest still presents a major constraint to the production of maize in areas where they are abundant. This review provides updated information on the biology, distribution, genetics, host plant range and preference as well as management of B. fusca. It largely considers studies conducted during the last two decades in Central, East and Southern Africa. In West Africa, B. fusca is only of economic importance in the dry agroecological zones and on sorghum only [21,22], and little information exists about the ecology and management of this pest in this region
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
