Pod Borer Maruca Vitrata Research Articles

Monitoring Insect Pest Complex on Black Gram

The pest spectra, comprising of thirteen species, were observed to attack black gram at different stages of crop growth. The stem fly Ophiomyia phaseoli (Tryon), whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), black aphid Aphis craccivora (Koch), pod bug Riptortus pedestris (F), surface grasshopper, Chrotogonus trachypterous (Blanchard), semilooper, Plusia orichalcea (F), tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F), blue butterfly Lampides boeticus (L) and blister beetle Mylabris pustulata (Thunberg) have assumed the status of minor pests whereas, gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), spotted pod borer Maruca vitrata (Geyer), Bihar hairy caterpillar Spilosoma obliqua (Walker) and leafhopper Empoasca kerri (Pruthi) were recorded as major pests.

ETUDE DE LEFFICACITE DES BIOPESTICIDES A BASE DE GRAINESDE NEEM ET DELENTOMOPATHOGENEBEAUVERIABASSIANA(BALS.) VUILL.POUR LA GESTION DES PRINCIPAUX INSECTES RAVAGEURS DE LA CULTURE DU NIEBE DANS LA REGION DE MARADI AU SAHEL

The insect pests of cowpea, Vignaunguiculata L. Walper, is one of the constraints which affect the cultivation this crop in Africa. The pod sucking bug Clavigrallatomentosicollis(Stål), the flower thripsMegallurothripssjöstedti(Trybom) and the pod borer Marucavitrata(Fabricius) are the main insect pests whose damage causes considerable yield losses on cowpea crop. In this study, neem Azadirachtaindica based biopesticides and the entomopathogenBeauveriabassiana(Bals.) Vuill were tested todeterminetheir efficiency in the management of cowpea insect pests. The trials were established in a farming environment with producers in 15 villages of the Maradiregion during three consecutive cropping seasons 2020, 2021 and 2022. The experimental design is the Fisher block with 4 treatments (Neem grain, B. bassiana, Chemical pesticide and the control without treatment) and two repetitions per site. The results for this studybiopesticide treatments (Neem grains and entomopathicfungus B. bassiana) reduced the insect pest damageof 73.21% and a yields increase of 104.12% compared to the control treatment. . Neem was effective as the synthetic chemical pesticide in the management of insect pests as it reduced the populations of M. sjöstedti, M. vitrata and C. tomentosicollis by 67.29, 70.57 and 71.26%respectively. This Neem biopesticide resulted a yield increase of 140.33% on cowpea for the three years of the study. Thus, for low-income producers, neem is an available resource that can constitute an effective and ecological alternative for managing cowpea insect pests in the Sahel.

Report of <i>Maruca vitrata</i> (F) Nucleopolyhedrovirus

This study explores the potential of nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) as a sustainable solution for managing legume pod borer Maruca vitrata (F). Distinctive signs of viral infection, such as suspended deceased larvae on cowpea leaves, and virus spread have been observed. Microscopic examination reveals characteristic polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIBs), confirming MaviNPV as the causative agent. Symptoms, including decreased activity and mortality in younger larvae, larval-pupal intermediates and deformed pupae have been observed. Reproductive disruption is evident through the absence of an egg mass and discharge of fluid from emerged adults. Bioassay results highlight age-dependent susceptibility, with higher mortality in early instars.

Developmental stage-specific proteome analysis of the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata provides insights on relevant proteins

The spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a destructive insect pest that inflicts significant productivity losses on important leguminous crops. Unravelling insect proteomes is vital to comprehend their fundamental molecular mechanisms. This research delved into the proteome profiles of four distinct stages -three larval and pupa of M. vitrata, utilizing LC-MS/MS label-free quantification-based methods. Employing comprehensive proteome analysis with fractionated datasets, we mapped 75 % of 3459 Drosophila protein orthologues out of which 2695 were identified across all developmental stages while, 137 and 94 were exclusive to larval and pupal stages respectively. Cluster analysis of 2248 protein orthologues derived from MaxQuant quantitative dataset depicted six clusters based on expression pattern similarity across stages. Consequently, gene ontology and protein-protein interaction network analyses using STRING database identified cluster 1 (58 proteins) and cluster 6 (25 proteins) associated with insect immune system and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, qRT-PCR-based expression analyses of ten selected proteins-coding genes authenticated the proteome data. Subsequently, functional validation of these chosen genes through gene silencing reduced their transcript abundance accompanied by a marked increase in mortality among dsRNA-injected larvae. Overall, this is a pioneering study to effectively develop a proteome atlas of M. vitrata as a potential resource for crop protection programs.

Development and validation of integrated pest management modules against spotted pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius on garden bean Lablab purpureus var. typicus (L.)

To reduce the detrimental effect of insecticides, an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module is necessary for the eco-friendly management of Maruca vitrata in garden bean ecosystem. Two field trials were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of different insecticides and botanicals against M. vitrata on Lablab purpureus var. typicus. Two seasons field evaluation of insecticides revealed that chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC was the most effective treatment to control the pest recorded 0.11 and 0.36 larva/plant in two seasons, respectively after two rounds of spray followed by flubendiamide 20 WG (0.46 and 0.92 larva/ plant) and emamectin benzoate 5 SG (0.50 and 0.95 larva/plant). Among botanicals tested, commercial neem formulation and 5% Ageratina adenophora recorded the least larval count of 1.64 & 1.05 larva/plant and 2.24 & 1.45 larva/plant in two seasons, respectively. IPM modules were developed with three effective insecticides (chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, flubendiamide 20 WG and emamectin benzoate 5 SG), two effective botanicals (commercial neem formulation 1500 ppm and 5% A. adenophora) along with the pheromone trap for validation. All the IPM modules were equally effective in managing M. vitrata population on L. purpureus and recorded a significantly (at 5 %) lower larval population than the farmer’s practice. The residues of chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide and emamectin benzoate reached below the detectable level at the time of harvest. The population reduction of predatory coccinellids and spiders was also lower in IPM modules than in farmer’s practice. An increased benefit cost (1.95 to 1.99) ratio was observed in IPM modules.

Effect of Plant Phenology on Infestation by Legume Pod Borer <i>Maruca vitrata</i>on Dolichos Bean

The legume pod borer Maruca vitrata (F.) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) causes considerable yield loss in major edible legumes including dolichos bean Lablab purpureus var. typicus. This study analyses the M. vitrata incidence and abundance in relation to the four plant parts during two consecutive cropping seasons of 2019. The results revealed that peak incidence of 80.00 ± 2.83% was in the 11th week after planting during rabi, 2019, and it was more in unopened flower buds (64.00 ± 8.76%) and mature pods (13.00 ± 0.80%). There existed significant differences between the four growth stages of the crop in the order- flower buds (maximum) ˃ mature pods ˃ immature pods ˃ open flowers (least) during summer 2019. The occurrence of single and multiple larvae was more in the unopened flower buds (78.00 ± 3.35%) and mature pods (52.00 ± 3.35%).

Evaluation of Biorational Insecticides Against Pigeonpea Pod Borer

A field study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of biorational insecticides against pigeonpea pod borer Maruca vitrata (F.) at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh during kharif, 2016 and 2017. From the cumulative mean data, it was found that among the ten biorationals evaluated, spinosad 45SC @ 0.4 ml/ l led to the maximum % larval incidence reduction (90.32 and 93.61% during 2016 and 2017, respectively) and also led to maximum reduction in % pod infestation (65.31 and 65.29%) with maximum % increase in yield (77.63 and 77.37%). This treatment also gave a C:B ratio of 1:3.36 and 1:3.74. Comparably, the next best was emamectin benzoate 5SG @ 0.3 g/ l, with 86.93 and 90.89% reduction in larval incidence and 62.52 and 62.63% reduction in pod infestation, with 76.38 and 75.49% increase in yield with a C:B ratio of 1:9.80 and 1:10.34.

Progeny fitness determines the performance of the parasitoid Therophilus javanus, a prospective biocontrol agent against the legume pod borer

Therophilus javanus (Bhat & Gupta) is an exotic larval endoparasitoid newly imported from Asia into Africa as a classical biological control agent against the pod borer Maruca vitrata (Fabricius). The parasitoid preference for the five larval instars of M. vitrata and their influence on progeny sex ratio were assessed together with the impact of larval host age at the time of oviposition on development time, mother longevity and offspring production. In a choice situation, female parasitoids preferred to oviposit in the first three larval instars. The development of immature stages of the parasitoid was observed inside three-day-old hosts, whereby the first two larval instars of T. javanus completed their development as endoparasites and the third larval instar as ectoparasite. The development time was faster when first larval instars (two- and three-day-old) of the host caterpillars were parasitized compared to second larval instar (four-day-old). The highest proportion of daughters (0.51) was observed when females were provided with four-day-old hosts. The lowest intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.21 ± 0.01), the lowest rate of increase (λ) (1.23 ± 0.01), and the lowest net reproductive rate (Ro) (35.93 ± 6.51) were recorded on four-day-old hosts. These results are discussed in the light of optimizing mass rearing and release strategies.

Resistance in Cowpea Accessions to Spotted POD Borer Maruca Vitrata (F.)

Cowpea pod borer Maruca vitrata (F.) is serious pest of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in field as it feeds on various parts of the plant. Present study is to identify new sources of resistance against this pest in cowpea accessions. 46 culitivars including wild accessions were field screened. Ten accessions (CGCFS-8, CGCFS-15, CGCFS-30, CGCFS-48, CGCFS-49, CGCFS-52, CGCFS-65, CGCFS-67, CGCFS-69, UPC-5286,) were observed to be highly resistant (0 to 20% damage); and nine accessions (CGCFS-2, CGCFS-43, CGCFS-51, CGCFS-68, CGCFS-75, CGCFS-116, CGCFS-118, CGCFS-103, CGCFS-109, CGCFS-114) were moderately resistant (21- 40% damage).

The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), an important insect pest of cowpea: a review emphasizing West Africa

The legume pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a pantropical insect pest of legumes. In West Africa M. vitrata is the most devastating insect pest of cowpea, a food crop providing much-needed, inexpensive protein to farmers and consumers. Various approaches to controlling this pest have been tried, including cultural management, host plant resistance and use of synthetic and botanical pesticides, all with limited success. In this review we present information on the distribution, morphology, molecular characteristics, behavior and host plants of M. vitrata. We give especial attention to innovative management tactics being developed for West Africa, including genetically engineered Bt cowpea, new biopesticides and use of exotic parasitoids. We discuss research needs for enhancing integrated pest management (IPM) for M. vitrata in Africa.

Incidence of Maruca vitrata f. on cowpea in the sudano-sahelian zone of Niger

The incidence of the key insect pest of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata F., was investigated with light trap in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Niger in 2014 and 2015. The results revealed that the first larvae appeared in August (0.03 ± 0.03 to 2.48 ± 0.32 larvae/flower and pod, respectively). Incidence varied between the seasons, and the yield losses were 20.25% in 2014 and 82.32% in 2015, when there was 435 and 496 mm total rainfall, respectively. Lifecycle in the laboratory revealed a duration of 26.42 ±0.14 days, with females living for 16.38 ± 0.56 days with fecundity of 599.74 eggs.

An assessment of the risk of Bt-cowpea to non-target organisms in West Africa

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) is the most economically important legume crop in arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea is grown primarily by subsistence farmers who consume the leaves, pods and grain on farm or sell grain in local markets. Processed cowpea foods such as akara (a deep-fat fried fritter) are popular in the rapidly expanding urban areas. Demand far exceeds production due, in part, to a variety of insect pests including, in particular, the lepidopteran legume pod borer (LPB) Maruca vitrata. Genetically engineered Bt-cowpea, based on cry1Ab (Event 709) and cry2Ab transgenes, is being developed for use in sub-Saharan Africa to address losses from the LBP. Before environmental release of transgenic cowpeas, the Bt Cry proteins they express need to be assessed for potential effects on non-target organisms, particularly arthropods. Presented here is an assessment of the potential effects of those Cry proteins expressed in cowpea for control of LPB. Based on the history of safe use of Bt proteins, as well as the fauna associated with cultivated and wild cowpea in sub-Saharan Africa results indicate negligible effects on non-target organisms.

Effects of planting date, cultivar and insecticide spray application for the management of insect pests of cowpea in northern Ghana

Insect pests are a major constraint to cowpea production in northern Ghana where it is widely cultivated. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of planting date, cultivar and insecticide applications for the management of major insect pests attacking cowpea. There were 4 planting dates, 6 cowpea cultivars of medium maturity periods and 2 insecticide spraying regimes. Data were collected on densities of the major insect pests, including the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata F., thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom, and the pod-sucking bug complex dominated by Clavigalla tomentosicollis Stal., and grain yield. Early planting of cowpea in mid- or late July resulted in the lowest pest densities compared with those planted at later dates. Two of the six cowpea varieties (IT99-573-2-1 and IT99-573-1-1) supported the lowest numbers of insects across planting dates and irrespective of insecticide spraying regime. However, insecticide sprays significantly lowered pest densities and improved yields in all varieties, and yields were the highest when treatments were combined with early planting in mid-July. The results suggest that for maximum yield, cowpea in the study area should be planted in mid-to-late July and sprayed with insecticide. Where available, these treatments can also be integrated with varieties such as IT99K-573-2-1 and IT99k-573-1-1 which appeared to be less susceptible to insects in the current study.

An Insight in the Reproductive Biology of Therophilus javanus (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, and Agathidinae), a Potential Biological Control Agent against the Legume Pod Borer (Lepidoptera, Crambidae).

Therophilus javanus is a koinobiont, solitary larval endoparasitoid currently being considered as a biological control agent against the pod borer Maruca vitrata, a devastating cowpea pest causing 20–80% crop losses in West Africa. We investigated ovary morphology and anatomy, oogenesis, potential fecundity, and egg load in T. javanus, as well as the effect of factors such as age of the female and parasitoid/host size at oviposition on egg load. The number of ovarioles was found to be variable and significantly influenced by the age/size of the M. vitrata caterpillar when parasitized. Egg load also was strongly influenced by both the instar of M. vitrata caterpillar at the moment of parasitism and wasp age. The practical implications of these findings for improving mass rearing of the parasitoid toward successful biological control of M. vitrata are discussed.

Farmers' knowledge and perception of grain legume pests and their management in the Eastern province of Kenya

Grain legumes play an important role in community livelihood and in the national economy in Kenya. Unfortunately, in many African countries, production doesn't satisfy the demand in grains due to various constrains. Understanding farmers practices and behavior in the management of grain legume pests is a crucial step in the development of sustainable management strategies. A total of 216 farmers were surveyed in eight districts of eastern Kenya to evaluate farmers' knowledge and perceptions of grain legume pests; to examine current pest management practices, and to identify other production constraints. Grain legumes are grown by a wide age-group of farmers, with both genders equally represented. Chemical control remains the main pest management strategy, and, to ensure pesticide effectiveness, farmers also use increased application rates, chemical alternation, frequent application and mixtures of chemicals. While farmers used other control measures, they showed only limited interest in biological control. The majority of the farmers had experience in grain legume farming and were able to identify the major pests, which were the legume flower thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom, the cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora Koch and the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius. Our survey revealed that education and proximity to extension services contributed significantly to farmers' knowledge of grain legume pests, suggesting the need to provide continuous training and capacity building on integrated pest management in grain legume farming. The study also suggests integration of other pest management strategies such as the use of early maturing varieties, biopesticides and biofertilizer to reduce the use of chemical for sustainable pest management.

Survey on Management of Spotted Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata Fabricius) on Yardlong Bean in Chitwan, Nepal

A household survey was conducted during January 2012 in Gunjanagar, Dibyanagar and Sukranagar Village Development Committee of Chitwan district to know the socioeconomic status, status of spotted pod borer and its management practice. The survey included purposive random sampling methods in 35 yardlong bean growers. Most of commercial farmers have been growing since 3-7 years. Nearly three fourth of the farmers considered spotted pod borer as a major pest of yarldlong bean in Chitwan. Most of them considered more than 60% loss caused by spotted pod borer if no management practice is applied. Almost all sprayed chemical pesticides for management of spotted pod borer and nearly three fourth of them used more than one chemical pesticides alternately for management of spotted pod borer.One third farmers (31.43%) applied chemical pesticides in 4-7 days interval and one third of them (31.43%) applied chemical pesticides in 7-10 days interval after beginning of flowering for management of spotted pod borer. Almost all farmers (94.29%) knew adverse effect of pesticides on human, environment, natural enemies and other animal. Majority (94.29%) of farmers harvested pods after 1-3 day of spray of chemical pesticides and very few (14.29%) of commercial grower of this area get training in insect pest management.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(1): 39-43

Age-dependent changes in feeding preference and effects of commercial semi-synthetic diets on development of the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Mass rearing of the legume podborer Maruca vitrata (Fablicius) can be a very labor-intensive process. To improve the labor-saving method for larval raising, rearing experiments were conducted using 14 diet regimens, with and without diet-switching between the earlier and latter larval stages. Six different semi-synthetic diets were used, including four crude commercial diets. Larvae showed the highest performance in survival rate, developmental duration and pupal weight when reared on the following diet regimen: (1) 1st to 2nd instars—Insecta F-II (a commercial semi-synthetic diet for herbivorous insects, containing no mulberry leaf powder) mixed with 50 % azuki bean powder; (2) 3rd to 5th instars—switch to a crude commercial diet, either Insecta LFS (a semi-synthetic diet for herbivorous insects, containing mulberry leaf powder) or Insecta F-II mixed with 10 % azuki bean powder. In the feeding experiments, larvae in the earlier stages tended to prefer diets containing azuki bean or mulberry leaf powder, whereas larvae in the latter stages were non-selective in their feeding preference. The exception was Insecta F-II mixed with 50 % azuki bean powder, for which the larvae showed a significantly high preference between 24 and 96 h following release.

Annual cycle of the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in southwestern Burkina Faso

Maruca vitrata is an economically significant insect pest of cowpea in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the seasonal population patterns of M. vitrata is essential for the establishment of effective pest management strategies. M. vitrata larval populations on cultivated cowpea and adult flying activities were monitored in addition to scouting for host plants and parasitoids during 2 consecutive years in 2010 and 2011 in southwestern Burkina Faso. Our data suggest that M. vitrata populations overlapped on cultivated cowpea and alternate host plants during the rainy season. During the cowpea off-season, M. vitrata maintained a permanent population on the wild host plants Mucuna poggei and Daniella oliveri. The parasitoid fauna include three species, Phanerotoma leucobasis Kri., Braunsia kriegeri End. and Bracon sp. Implications of these finding for pest management strategies are discussed.

Feeding preferences of the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larvae and suitability of different flower parts for larval development

With the advent of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-cowpea, there is a need to identify the feeding preferences of Maruca vitrata Fab. to determine in which component of the plant the expression of the toxin needs to be the highest to ensure the greatest efficacy of insecticidal Bt proteins. In the current study, we examined the feeding preferences of M. vitrata larvae in a naturally infested cowpea field. We also tested, in the laboratory, the suitability of different flower components for the larval development of M. vitrata. Our results indicate that in the field, all types of flowers, regardless of their age, were infested with M. vitrata larvae. The reproductive organs, in the flowers, were the preferred feeding diet for the larvae. Laboratory bioassays confirmed that the reproductive organs were the optimal tissues for M. vitrata larval development. The implications of these findings for transgenic Bt-cowpea are discussed.

Evaluating the effect of host plant resistance and planting dates on the incidence of legume pod borer ( Maruca vitrata Geyer) on African yam bean in Nigeria.

Legume pod borer ( Maruca vitrata (Geyer)) is one of the major biotic constraints to increasing the productivity of most grain legumes in the tropics. In this study, field experiments were conducted to assess the effect of host plant resistance and planting dates on the incidence of African yam bean pod borer Maruca vitrata (Geyer) in Nigeria. Planting of African yam bean ( Sphenostylis stenocarpa ) varieties in May led to less infested by M. vitrata and differed significantly (P < 0.05) from those planted in June and July. Of all the varieties assessed, TSs9 was the most resistance and differed significantly (P < 0.05) from the rest of the varieties; while TSs84 was the most susceptible with poorest grain yields. All the varieties when planted in May had less post-flowering insect infestations and produced higher grain yields than those planted later. Flowering and podding formation stages of African yam bean (AYB) planted in July coincided with the peak population densities of M. vitrata , resulting in a significant reduction in yields. The highest grain yields were recorded under a combination of early planting with resistant varieties. Key Words: Maruca vitrata, Sphenostylis stenocarpa , susceptibility