Field Studies on the Millet Head Miner Heliocheilus albipunctella (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a Pest on Pearl Millet in Sudan
Eisa, M. Ahmed
*
University of Kordofan, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Natural Resources & Environmental Studies, University of Kordofan, P.O.Box 160, Elobeid-51111, Sudan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The presented paper describes the results of field studies carried out in Kordofan State (Sudan) concerning ecological parameters of the millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella (DE JOANNIS, 1925), which is a major pest on pearl millet, (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR). The results documented that in the on-station, El-Obeid location, the moths appeared in the field earlier in August, i.e., on 14/8/93, and also disappeared from the field earlier in September, i.e., on 18/9/93. The appearance and disappearance of moths at Abu Zabad location occurred on 23/8/93 and 4/10/93, respectively. The number of moths collected by the light trap from Abu Zabad location during August or September was significantly greater than that collected from the on-station El-Obeid (P < 0.01) during the same months. The emergence of moths of H. albipunctella from diapausing pupae in the laboratory occurred in August, i.e. during the period from 26/8.– 1/9. No moths emerged in the laboratory after that period. The results showed that compact heads supported significantly fewer tunnels (P < 0.01), compared to loose semi- compact heads.
Keywords: Pearl millet, insect pest, millet spike worm tunnels, moths, Heliocheilus albipunctella, Sudan