Abstract
Abstract A natural population of the armyworm Mythimna separata, attacking maize at the time of silking caused a significant reduction in yield only on plants suffering greater than 67% defoliation. At this level of leaf loss, yield was reduced by 44%, mainly because of a reduction in seed weight. Direct damage to cobs was negligible. The upper leaves were only seriously defoliated after the lower part of the plant had been largely consumed. There was a small compensatory increase in weight of the upper leaves, seed number, and yield at low levels of defoliation (11–33%). This is attributed to the observed preference of M. separata larvae for the lower parts of the plant, and the results of other research showing that the upper leaves can compensate most effectively for plant damage. An analysis of the cost of chemical control suggests that it is rarely economical.
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