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<p>Maize is an important crop for food security in Nigeria. However, its production is hindered by stem borers, causing significant yield losses. This study aimed to assess the population dynamics and species diversity of stem borers and the influence of weather factors on their development and infestation on maize. The field evaluation was conducted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm over four planting seasons (2021–2022) using 40 open-pollinated maize varieties. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Regular assessments for stem borer larvae were carried out biweekly, starting from three weeks after planting until physiological maturity. The weather data were obtained using the MERRA-2 reanalysis system. The insect counts were subjected to a normality test, subsequently transformed prior to analysis of variance and the significant means were separated using the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Spearman correlation analysis was done to examine the relationships between insect counts and the weather parameters. Five stem borer species (<i>Busseola fusca</i>, <i>Sesamia calamistis</i>, <i>Eldana saccharina</i>, <i>Chilo partellus</i>, and <i>Coniesta ignefusalis</i>) were recorded. Throughout the study period, <i>S. calamistis</i> was the most abundant species, except at harvest when <i>B. fusca</i> became predominant. Stem borer species abundance had a highly significant inverse relationship with minimum temperature (<i>r</i> = -0.74), relative humidity (<i>r</i> = -0.69), specific humidity (<i>r</i> = -0.74), and wind direction (<i>r</i> = -0.57). The study provided information on stem borer species infesting maize in different seasons and how weather factors influence their population dynamics in rainforest agroecology of Nigeria. Since stem borers remain an important economic insect pest of maize in the rainforest agroecology of Nigeria; therefore, there is a need for the development of resistant varieties that can be incorporated into the integrated pest management of the insect pest.</p>

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Population dynamics and species diversity of lepidopterous stem borers in a rainforest agroecology of Nigeria

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月7日

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  • Adeoluwa Oluwaseyi Adeleye,
  • Mosudi Babatunde Sosan

摘要

Maize is an important crop for food security in Nigeria. However, its production is hindered by stem borers, causing significant yield losses. This study aimed to assess the population dynamics and species diversity of stem borers and the influence of weather factors on their development and infestation on maize. The field evaluation was conducted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm over four planting seasons (2021–2022) using 40 open-pollinated maize varieties. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Regular assessments for stem borer larvae were carried out biweekly, starting from three weeks after planting until physiological maturity. The weather data were obtained using the MERRA-2 reanalysis system. The insect counts were subjected to a normality test, subsequently transformed prior to analysis of variance and the significant means were separated using the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Spearman correlation analysis was done to examine the relationships between insect counts and the weather parameters. Five stem borer species (Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis, Eldana saccharina, Chilo partellus, and Coniesta ignefusalis) were recorded. Throughout the study period, S. calamistis was the most abundant species, except at harvest when B. fusca became predominant. Stem borer species abundance had a highly significant inverse relationship with minimum temperature (r = -0.74), relative humidity (r = -0.69), specific humidity (r = -0.74), and wind direction (r = -0.57). The study provided information on stem borer species infesting maize in different seasons and how weather factors influence their population dynamics in rainforest agroecology of Nigeria. Since stem borers remain an important economic insect pest of maize in the rainforest agroecology of Nigeria; therefore, there is a need for the development of resistant varieties that can be incorporated into the integrated pest management of the insect pest.