O. Youm et Fe. Gilstrap, HABITAT SITE SELECTION, CROP DAMAGE AND OVIPOSITION PREFERENCE BY CONIESTA (=HAIMBACHIA) IGNEFUSALIS (LEPIDOPTERA, PYRALIDAE), International journal of pest management, 40(3), 1994, pp. 231-236
Studies were conducted during 1986-1988 to investigate habitat site se
lection, evaluate damage, and study the oviposition preference of Coni
esta ignefusalis (Hampson) on natural and artificial substrates to imp
rove rearing and management techniques. Millet grain weight was negati
vely correlated with numbers of stem-borer larval exit and entrance ho
les. Numbers of diapausing larvae and borer larval holes were positive
ly correlated with the location of internodes on millet stems. Surviva
l of C. ignefusalis in dry millet stems is significant when stems were
stacked as practised by farmers. C. ignefusalis female oviposition oc
curred mostly within leaf sheaths of green millet plants, rarely on gr
een or dry leaves, and seldom on dry millet stems. Paper substrates ra
rely received eggs when offered to females in association with green m
illet stems with attached leaf sheath. The implications of our finding
s for IPM of C. ignefusalis are discussed.