Stem Borer Species Composition on Maize and Two Non-Cereal Hosts in the Forest Zone of Kisangani, DRC

Lepidopteran stem borers are the most damaging pests of maize in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the growing importance of maize in the forest zone of Democratic Republic of Congo, no data is available regarding stem borer pest species present and their relative importance. It is thus important to gather information likely to guide future research in this area. This study was undertaken to catalogue stem borer pest species identity and assess their relative infestation levels on maize. Surveys were carried out in wild and cultivated habitats in Kisangani. Five species were collected on maize, i.e., Sesamia calamistis Hampson (1910), Eldana saccharina Walker (1865), Busseola fusca Fuller (1901), Chilo sp. Strand (1913), and Mussidia nigrivenella Ragonot (1888). In the wild habitats, Poenoma serrata Hampson, B. fusca and S. calamistis were collected on Pennisetum purpureum whereas  Chilo  sp.  was  collected  on  Panicum  maximum.  Our  results  suggest  that  P.  maximum  might  affect  the  population dynamics of Chilo sp. whereas P. purpureum is expected not to influence the population dynamics of other stem borers owing to its scarcity in the interior of the forest.

Auteurs: Onésime Mubenga  Kankonda, Dudu Akaibe, Walangululu Massamba, George  Otieno Ong’amo and Bruno-Pierre Le Ru