Farm management practices and farmers' perceptions of stalk-borers of maize and sorghum in Lesotho

A survey was conducted to gain insight into the perceptions of Lesotho's fa rmers with regard to insect pests of maize and sorghum, to identify managem ent practices that could impact on stalk-borer numbers and to shed light on other farming practices such as variety selection and crop residue managem ent. Field studies were conducted to determine the incidence and distributi on of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chile partellus (Lepidopt era: Pyralidae) larvae in sorghum and maize residues and to determine the e ffect of certain crop residue management practices on stalk-borer survival. Results indicated that farmers regard stalk-borers as important pests that sometimes need to be controlled. However, most farmers never apply control measures, mainly due to lack of resources. Residues of maize and sorghum p lants are largely used as animal fodder with maize being cut and fed to ani mals after harvest. Sorghum crop residues are largely left on fields after harvest to be used by free-grazing animals. While stacks of maize stalks we re not important in the winter survival of B. fusca larvae, stacking of sor ghum ensures winter survival of C. partellus larvae. Detasselling of maize plants is commonly done at plant senescence and the upper halves of plants are fed to animals. Detasselling of maize plants had no effect on the numbe r of borer larvae in plants at harvest.