Abundance, diversity and richness of natural enemies of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Zambia.

ABSTRACT: The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, an invasive pest originating from the Americas is a serious pest threatening cereal production and food security in Zambia. We studied the prevalence and abundance of natural enemies of FAW in three Agroecological regions (AERs I, II, and III) to identify those that could potentially serve as bio-control agents. Sampling of FAW parasitoids and predators was done along trunk roads at intervals of 10 km. Molecular sequence analysis and morphological characterization were used to identify natural enemies. Over 11 species of FAW natural enemies, including egg, egg-larval, and larval parasitoids, and predators, were identified in Zambia. The mean number of natural enemies and species richness was higher in AER I and IIa. Consequently, egg p

SUBMITTER: Chipabika G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10926438 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature