Description of Sesamia calamisiis [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae] A Pest of Maize and its Parasitoids in Selected Maize farms in the Accra Plains of Ghana

Abstract

A study to determine the species range of parasitoids of Sesamia calamistis on maize in some selected maize farms in Accra was conducted on small holder farms at the University of Ghana. Legon, and its environs. Collections of stembororers were made in pre-selected fields and farms. These were then reared on freshly cut pieces of maize stem in 500-ml storage bottles in the laboratory, and observed for the emergence of parasitoids or stemborers. Emerging parasitoids were identified and counted. The parasitoids identified belong to the orders Diptera and Hymenoptera. The dipterans were DRampsina sesamiae Mesnil, , Tachinidae, Anatrichus erinaceus Loew and Zaprionus sp. Drosophilidae. Also collected were undetermined species of muscidae and a Lochaeidae. The only Hymenoptera identified was Syzeuctus sp (Ichneumonidae). The total larval and pupal parasitism rates were 17% and 5% respectively.