Integration and Application of Comprehensive Prevention and Control Technology for Sugarcane Borers in Low Latitude Plateau of China

Aimed at the difficult problem of prevention and control of disastrous sugarcane borers in low latitude plateau of China,this research systematically overcame the bottleneck of comprehensive prevention and control of sugarcane bores after 10 years of collaborative research,and formed a number of core product technologies,which promoted the green and high-quality development of the sugarcane industry and achieved the following innovative results.In this study,the species,population structure and damage characteristics of disastrous sugarcane borers in low latitude plateau were clarified for the first time,which provided a scientific basis for the formulation of technology and application of comprehensive prevention and control.The monitoring technology system and early warning monitoring network were constructed for the monitoring of borer population in low latitude plateau sugarcane area,which realized the accurate monitoring of the population dynamics of sugarcane bores and provided technical support for comprehensive prevention and control.The flight spraying technology by unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)was developed for bores in the low latitude plateau cane area,and it has been successfully applied in a large area,thereby opening up a new way of light,simple and efficient for effective control of borers.The scale application of lamp trapping and sexual attracting to kill adult insects technology promoted the advancement of green control technology of bores.Integration was made to the comprehensive control techniques like UAV flight control,biological agents,physical and chemical inducement and control,and sexual attractant trapping in the low latitude plateau sugarcane area,and standardized technical regulations have been formulated,which significantly improved the overall prevention and control effect of large areas.The technologies for the comprehensive prevention and control of sugarcane borers have been popularized and applied in 8 major sugarcane producing states(cities)in low altitude plateau of Yunnan over the years,which has controlled the damage and showed remarkable control effect.In 2017-2018,the integrated control technology was popularized and applied to a total of 2.78×10^5 hm^2(1.33×10^4 hm^2 of UAV flight control)of area,which recovered a total of 3.666×10^6 t of sugarcane losses,increasing 4.69×10^5 t of sugar with the sales increase of 3.979 billion yuan,added profits of 1.251 billion yuan and the taxes increase of 188 million yuan.The research results show that the technology has high technical integration,strong practicability,high degree of transformation,significant economic,social and ecological benefits,which provide technical supports for the sustainable development,loss reduction and efficiency increase of the sugarcane industry in the low-latitude plateau sugarcane region,and make significant contributions to the economic development of ethnic minorities in the border-stricken areas and the increase of farmers income and poverty alleviation.

Population Structure Dynamics and Control Countermeasures of Sugarcane Borers in Yunnan Sugarcane Area

To control sugarcane borers scientifically and effectively, the species, population structure and dynamics of sugarcane borers in Yunnan sugarcane areas were analyzed, based on the historical data and survey research. The distribution area and damage of the major sugarcane borers in Yunnan sugarcane areas were ascertained, and the factors influencing population structure dynamics of sugarcane borers and their rampant causes were revealed. According to the damaging characteristics of sugarcane borers, suitable control countermeasures were proposed, including establish-ing and improving sugarcane quarantine system, enhancing quarantine of imported varieties/clones, investigating new sugarcane borer populations thoroughly and systematically, establishing early warning and monitoring system, actively carrying out physical and biological control, and enhancing protection of natural enemies. These countermeasures could help to effectively control sugarcane borers and reduce the damage caused by these borers.

The Occurrence,Damage and Control Strategies of Sugarcane Borers in Yunnan

Sugarcane borers are the most common pests in Yunnan sugarcane areas,and their harm is the most serious presently. The damage caused by sugarcane borers has become the first important factor seriously influencing the sustainable and stable development of sugar industry in Yunnan. To scientifically and effectively prevent and control sugarcane borers to ensure the production safety of sugarcane,the characteristics of occurrence and damage of sugarcane borers in Yunnan sugarcane areas were systematically introduced,and corresponding comprehensive control measures and strategies were proposed according to the characteristics of its occurrence and damage and the actual production of sugarcane.

Effects of Droplet Distribution on Insecticide Toxicity to Asian Corn Borers(Ostrinia furnaealis) and Spiders(Xysticus ephippiatus)

Distribution of horizontal boom produced droplets downwards into maize canopies at flowering period and its effects on the efficacies of emamectin benzoate, lambda-cyhalothrin and chlorantraniliprole against the second generation of Asian corn borer （ACB） larvae and their toxicity to spiders were studied. When insecticides were sprayed downwards into the maize canopies, randomly filtering out droplets by upper leaves led to great variations of droplet coverage and density within the canopies. Consequently, the efficacies of lambda-cyhalothrin and emamectin benzoate against ACB larvae were decreased because of randomly filtering out droplets by upper leaves. But field investigation showed that lambda-cyhalothrin was extremely toxic to hunting spiders, Xysticus ephippiatus, and not suitable to IPM programs in regulation of the second generation of ACB. Therefore, randomly filtering out droplets by upper leaves decreased lambda-cyhalothrin＇s efficacy against ACB larvae, but did little to decrease its toxicity to X. ephippiatus. Amamectin benzoate can reduce the populations of X. ephippiatus by 58.1-61.4%, but the populations can recover at the end of the experiment. Chlorantraniliprole was relatively safe to X. ephippiatus. It only reduced the populations of X. ephippiatus by 22.3-33.0%, and the populations can totally recover 9 d after application.

Transgenic japonica rice expressing the cry1C gene is resistant to striped stem borers in Northeast China

Rice production and quality are seriously affected by the lepidopteran pest,striped stem borer(SSB),in Northeast China.In this study,a synthetic cry1 C gene encoding Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)δ-endotoxin,which is toxic to lepidopteran pest,was transformed into a japonica rice variety(Jigeng 88)in Northeast China by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.Through molecular detection and the Basta resistance germination assay,a total of 16 single-copy homozygous transgenic lines were obtained from 126 independent transformants expressing cry1 C.Finally,four cry1 C-transgenic lines(JL16,JL23,JL41,and JL42)were selected by evaluation of the Cry1 C protein level,insect-resistance and agronomic traits.The cry1 C-transgenic lines had higher resistance to SSB and higher yield compared with non-transgenic(NT)control plants.T-DNA flanking sequence analysis of the transgenic line JL42 showed that the cry1 C gene was inserted into the intergenic region of chromosome 11,indicating that its insertion may not interfere with the genes near insertion site.In summary,this study developed four cry1 C-transgenic japonica rice lines with high insect resistance and high yield.They can be used as insect-resistant germplasm materials to overcome the problem of rice yield reduction caused by SSB and reduce the use of pesticides in Northeast China.

Invasive sequence and ecological niche of main insect borers of Larix gmelinii forest in Aershan, Inner Mongolia

After the outbreak of Dendrolimus superans Buter in 2002, many insect borers quickly invaded larch （Larix gmelinii Rupr.） forests in the Aershan of Inner Mongolia. Methods involved included setting sample plots, collecting adults in iron traps and measuring areas of galleries to study the invasive sequence, their ecological niche and the extent of the different effects by the main insect borers to their hosts. The results showed that the damage of D. superans weakened L. gmelinii, first Ips subelongatus Motschulsky invaded, followed by Acanthocinus carinulatus Gebler, Monochamus urussovi Fisher and M. sutor L. After the outbreak of D. superans, the average density of longhorn beetles per L. gmelinii tree increased. The ecological niche of Ips subelongatus stretches almost from the base to the top of the trunk. The number of insects in older stands of L. gmelinii is larger than those in middle aged stands. They do not damage healthy trees of L. gmelinii. The ecological niche of A. carinulatus is higher in dead L. gmelinii trees than in weak ones. The degree of damage is directly proportional with age and depth of bark. M. urussovi mainly damages trunks below 4 m in weak trees; in dead trees they can do damage up to 6 m in height. M. sutor mainly damages trunks below 5 m in weak L. gmelinii trees; in dead trees they cause damage up to 7 m. Again, the degree of damage is directly proportional with age. None of the three species of longhorn beetles damage healthy L. gmelinii and younger trees. Among the main insect borers, the degree of damage caused by I. subelongatus is more serious than that of other insects.

Field Efficacy Test of 22% Fipronil FS against Sugarcane Stem Borers and Thrips

[ Objective] The paper was to explore the field efficacy of 22% fipronil FS against sugarcane stem borer and thrips （Baliothrips serratus Kobus ）. [ Method] The field trial was conducted by foliar spraying of 22% fipronil FS and mixed broadcasting with fertilizer in 2014. [ Result ] Foliar spraying of 22% fipronil FS at the dose of 50 mIV667 m~ had the best control effect against sugarcane stem borer, and the control effect at 90 d post administration was 70.70%, significantly higher than that of control agent （61.86%）. Medium and high dose of 22% fipronil FS had better control effects against sugarcane thrips. [ Conclusion ] Considering control effects against sugarcane stem borers and thrips as well as sugarcane yield, it is recommended that 22% fipronil FS is sprayed at medium concentration （50 mL/667 m2 ）.

Analysis of sex pheromone production and field trapping of the Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée)in Xinjiang,China

Identifying the sex pheromone systems of local pest populations facilitates their management,especially for moth species that show significant geographic variation in sex pheromone communication.We investigated the pheromone production and behavioral responses of the Asian corn borer(Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée;ACB)in Xinjiang,China.The ACB produces three compounds:(Z)-12-tetradecenyl acetate(Z12-14:Ac)and(E)-12-tetradecenyl acetate(E12-14:Ac)which are two sex pheromone compounds,and n-tetradecyl acetate(14:Ac)which has variable roles in mediating behavioral responses.The ratios of these three compounds produced in female gland are geographically distinct among different populations.Quantitative analysis of pheromone production showed that the proportions of Z12-14:Ac in the E/Z isomers(i.e.,Z and E12-14:Ac)and the proportions of 14:Ac in the ternary blend respectively averaged 60.46%(SD=5.26)and 25.00%(SD=7.37),with their probabilities normally or near-normally distributed.Trapping experiments in a cornfield indicated that deploying the E/Z isomers and the three compounds in rubber septa close to their gland ratios yielded the most captured males,while other ratios that deviated from the gland ratios showed reduced field captures.The ternary blend was significantly more attractive to males than the E/Z isomers in the field,indicating a functional role of 14:Ac as the third pheromone component used by the local population.Additionally,the dose-response test demonstrated that the application of the three compounds at dosages between 200 and 350μg attracted significantly more males compared to other dosages.Therefore,the characterization of this local ACB pheromone system provides additional information about its geographic variation and serves as a basis for optimizing the pheromone-mediated control of this pest in Xinjiang.

Euborellia annulipes Mortality and Predation on Diatraea saccharalis Eggs after Application of Chemical and Biological Insecticides

Chemical and biological insecticides have been frequently used in sugarcane fields to control insects-pests, including the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis. Among the products used, those based on chlorantraniliprole and Metarhizium anisopliae entomopathogenic fungus, stand out. Euborellia annulipes is an insect of the order Dermaptera considered a potential predator of sugarcane borer eggs. This study aimed to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the bioinsecticide based on M. anisopliae (Metarril®) and the chemical insecticide chlorantraniliprole (Altacor®) on the mortality of E. annulipes nymphs and adults, the predation and feeding preference of earwigs in eggs treated with the formulated products. Predator mortality was evaluated for seven days after treatment, while the effect on predation was analyzed by preference tests with and without choice, using prey eggs. The products tested were selective to the predator, causing ≤ 2% mortality and not affecting predation. The application of M. anisopliae on sugarcane borer eggs favored the food preference of fourth-instar nymphs, males, and females of the predator. Our results show that Metarril® and Altacor® can be used to control D. saccharalis when associated with the predator E. annulipes.

Embryonic Development and Eclosion Season of New Species Berastagia (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from Taiwan

This paper describes a new species of the snout moth Berastagia tainanica sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from Taiwan. From 2009 to 2016, a biology study was conducted on population dynamics and embryonic development. Spring season is the peak of the eclosion of overwintering larvae or pupae. The average longevity of adult was 14.8 ± 6.2 days (N = 174), the average number of eggs laid was 259 ± 3 eggs/moth (N = 2), the hatching rate of eggs was 95.4% (N = 262), and the average hatching time of eggs was 99.6 ± 18.6 hours (N = 68). The average body length of males was 5.64 mm ± 0.91 mm (N = 30), and the average body length of females was 6.28 mm ± 0.84 mm (N = 30). This finding indicates that female snout moths are larger than males (Global R = 0.058, P = 0.012). The snout moth eclosion rate was 16.9 moths/100 pods in the first year (2010/2011, N = 2,224 pods) and 10.9 moths/100 pods in the second year (2014/2015, N = 6,382 pods). The pod borer rate was 31.8% (N = 707) and the seed borer rate was 41.2% (N = 3,628) in the first year, whereas the pod borer rate was 76.2% (N = 6,382) in the second year.

Control Effects of a New Sex Pheromone Trap and Biological Agents on Sesamia inferens Walker and Argyroploce schistaceana (Snellen)

This study was conducted to explore and seek high-efficiency and safe green control techniques on sugarcane borers,promote green control of diseases and pests of sugarcane and build a resource-conserving,environmentally friendly and sustainable governance system of diseases and pests of sugarcane.A new sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers,abamectin· Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and tebufenozide were selected and applied in field trials.The use of the new sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers (6 traps/hm 2) in combination with 0.05% abamectin·10 billion active gemmae/g B.thuringiensis (Bt) WP (1.8 kg/hm 2) or new sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers (6 traps/hm 2) in combination with 200 g/L tebufenozide SC (1.5 L/hm 2) were the best in the sugarcane production.New sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers should be installed in early march,and biological agents were mixed with water 900 kg per hectare and sprayed evenly sugarcane plants at the beginning of April.Their control effects of dead heart rate and bored stalk rate could be more than 69.98% and 49.09%,respectively,which were superior to that of the control pesticide 3.6% bisultap GR (90 kg/hm 2).The results showed that new sex pheromone trap of sugarcane borers in combination with abamectin· B.thuringiensis (Bt) or tebufenozide was the optimum mode of green control techniques on sugarcane borers.When it was alternately or coordinately used with other technology,it could delay the emergence and development of drug resistance,and it was worthy of widespread popularization and application in sugarcane area.

Virulence and mycotoxic effects of Metarhizium anisopliae on Mahogany shoot borer,Hypsipyla robusta(Lepidoptera:Pyralidae)

Developing appropriate control measures for the Mahogany shoot borer, Hypsipyla robusta Moore has become increasingly important due to the severe damaging effect of the pest on the establishment of the saplings of Swietenia mahagoni Jacq （Sapindales： Meliaceae）. Existing management methods are largely limited to silvicultural practices and spraying of chemical insecticides. To identify a potential fungal biocontrol agent, we compared the virulence of six native and two standard ARSEF isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae Metsch. against this pest. The average survival time and conidial yield of IWST-Ma7 was higher （6.2 to 7.3 days and 4.9 to 4.7 x 105 conidia/ml） than the standards. Sig- nificant difference in sporulation on the cadavers between isolates, doses and incubation periods were substantiated for the selection of potential strain. The mycotoxic effects of crude soluble protein extract when in- corporated in the artificial diet, the ARSEF 2596 and ARSEF 3603 showed LDs0 value of 3.7% and 5.6%. However, IWST-Ma7 was highly lethal with significant lowest LDs0 value of 2.6%. The enzyme activity of IWST-Ma7 was highest for chitinase, CDA, protease and lipase viz., 1.90 U/mg, 1.80 U/mg, 0.98 U/mg and 0.80 U/mg respectively. However the enzyme activity of chitinase and Chitin deacetylase assay for all the isolates was significantly higher than protease and lipase activity. The ITS regions （5.8S rDNA and 28S rDNA） of seven isolates of M. anisopliae were amplified using the ITS1 and ITS4 primers which was a unique fragment of approximately 550 bp. Based on ITS regions, phy- logenetic tree have been constructed and the isolates have been grouped in to 5 clades. The virulence and mycotoxic effects of different isolates could rationally be used to employ them for the management of the mahogany borer.

Linking tree growth rate, damage repair, and susceptibility to a genus-specific pest infestation

Pest preference and subsequent susceptibility of a host individual is likely related to previous growth patterns in that host.Emerald ash borer(Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire)is a pestiferous beetle introduced to North America from Asia.While all species of ash are susceptible to attack,some individual trees appear to survive infestation.We selected ash trees in southeastern Michigan,collected cores and categorized trees as high tolerance to emerald ash borer attack(high overall health,low crown dieback),low tolerance(low overall health,high crown dieback)and intermediate tolerance(in-between the other categories).We artificially wounded trees and measured wound closure after 3 years.Ring width indices were not correlated between high and low tolerance trees.Regression slopes comparing growth and years were significantly different between the three tolerance categories,with high tolerance trees having the steepest slope.Wound closure was greatest in high tolerance trees.High tolerance trees demonstrating more rapid(steeper regression slope),consistent(lower variance),and effective(greater wound closure)growth.Those vigorously growing trees likely had more capacity to repair damage caused by emerald ash borer,leading to healthier trees in our categorization.Linking previous host growth patterns to health may have implications related to identifying individual trees potentially tolerant to attack.

Migratory flight of insect pests within a year-round distribution: European corn borer as a case study

Insect migratory flight differs fundamentally from most other kinds of flight behavior, in that it is non-appetitive. The adult is not searching for anything, and migratory flight is not terminated by encounters with potential resources. Many insect pests of agricultural crops are long-distance migrants, moving from lower latitudes where they overwinter to higher latitudes in the spring to exploit superabundant, but seasonally ephemeral, host crops. The migratory nature of these pests is somewhat easy to recognize because of their sudden appearance in areas where they had been absent only a day or two earlier. Many other serious pests survive hostile winter conditions by diapausing, and therefore do not require migration to move between overwintering and breeding ranges. Yet there is evidence of migratory behavior engaged in by several pest species that inhabit high latitudes year-round. In these cases, the consequences of migratory flight are not immediately noticeable at the population level, because migration takes place for the most part within their larger year-round distribution. Nevertheless, the potential population-level consequences can be quite important in the contexts of pest management and insect resistance management. As a case study, I review the evidence for migratory flight behavior by individual European corn borer adults, and discuss the importance of understanding it. The kind of migratory behavior posited for pest species inhabiting a permanent distribution may be more common than we realize.

Differential effects of insecticides on mitochondrial membrane fluidity and ATPase activity between the wolf spider and the rice stem borer

Differential effects of methamidophos and three pyrethroids on ATPase activity and membrane fluidity of mitochondria were investigated between the wolf spider（Pirata subpiraticus（Boes.et Str.））and the rice stem borer（Chilo suppressalis（Walker））.Based on a comparison of LD_（50） values,the toxicities of the tested insecticides were higher to the wolf spider than to the rice stem borer.Cyhalothrin at 1×10^（–4） mmol L^（–1） caused inhibition of the mitochondrial Na~＋-K~＋-ATPase and Ca^（2＋）-Mg^（2＋）-ATPase activities,and it’s inhibitions on Na＋-K＋-ATPase and Ca^（2＋）-Mg^（2＋）-ATPase activities were significantly higher in the wolf spider（44 and 28%）than in the rice stem borer（19 and 11%）.Methamidophos at 1×10^（–4） mmol L^（–1） decreased Ca^（2＋）-Mg^（2＋）-ATPase activity by 16 and 27%in the wolf spider and the rice stem borer,respectively,but no significant effect on the specific activity of Na＋-K＋-ATPase was observed.The DPH（1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene）fluorescence polarization values of mitochondrial membranes were not significantly affected by methamidophos in either species.However,cyhalothrin and alpha-cypermethrin induced the values of DPH polarization of mitochondrial membrane increasing with the concentration of cyhalothrin and alpha-cypermethrin from 20 to 100μmol L^（–1） in the rice stem borer and the wolf spider.Effect of ethofenprox on fluidity of the wolf spider and the rice stem borer was contrary.These results suggest that both inhibition of membrane ATPase and changes of membrane fluidity could be appended to the action mechanisms of pyrethroid insecticides.

Feeding effects of dsNPF interference in Ostrinia furnacalis

The com borer is a world-wide agricultural pest.In this study,a high-efficiency RNAi method was explored to knock down the neuropeptide F(NPF)to determine if NPF regulates larval feeding in the Asian corn borer,Ostrinia furnacalis.Results showed that the expression peaks of npfmRNA in both midgut and fat body are at 28 h of early 5th instar larvae.When NPF was kno eked dow n either by feedi ng dsNPF-c ontaining artificial diet or direct dsNPF in jection into the 5th in star larvae,npf expression was effectively inhibited in the midgut.Larval feeding,body weight and development time were significantly impacted.In con trast,the expressi on of the npf receptors npfrl and npfr2 in fat body of 5th in star larvae was sign ifica ntly increased by dsNPF injection.These results indicate that NPF can be effectively knoeked down in 0.furnacalis,and dsNPF by injection is an effective and fast way to silence npf expression.This study provides a critical basis for further exploration in mechanism of feeding regulation in 0.furnacalis.

Occurrence, Prevention and Control of Cryphalus eriobotryae, a New Devastating Pest of Loquat

A devastating trunk beetle has been found in Baisha loquat in Dongshan Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City in recent years. It is iden-tified as a new insect species, Cryphalus eriobotryae, belonging to Scolytinae, Curculionidae, Coleoptera. So far, loquat is known as the unique host of C. eriobotryae, and trees of 20-30 years old or 3-4 years old are all attacked by the insect. Holes drilled by adults with the diameter of about0.8 mm and sores(ate by adults) with the diameter of 1 mm are found on bark and trunk of damaged trees. Three-dimensional channels in 3-4 layers are formed in cortex, which are filled with insect dung. The phloem turns black-brown in late stage, and loses transport function, resulting in plant death and a great impact on loquat production and industrial development. During the occurrence period of C. eriobotryae from April to November,the damaged trunks and branches should be sprayed with 48% chlorpyrifos EC or 5% imidacloprid EC 100 times dilution once every 10 d for con-tinuous 2-3 times, and various states of the insect could be killed. If the phloem is damaged in the early and middle stages and does not turn black and brown completely, the plant could grow new cortex to realize recovery.

Development of lepidopteran pest-resistant transgenic japonica rice harboring a synthetic cry2A* gene

A synthetic cry2A^＊ gene enco ding Bacillus thuringiensis（Bt） δ-endotoxi n that resi st ance to lepidopteran pest was transformed into japonica rice variety Jijing 88, which is the most widely cultivated variety in Jilin Province, Northeast China, by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. A total of 106 independent transformants overexpressing cry2A^＊ gene driven by ubiquitin（Ubi） promoter was produced. Three single-copy homozygous transgenic lines were finally selected based on the results of PCR analysis, se gregation ratio of Bast a resistance, and Southern hybridiza tion analyse s. RT-PCR and enzyme linke dimmune sorbent assay（ELISA） revealed that cry2A^＊ transcripts and protein were highly expressed in these lines. The high level of Cry2A^＊ protein expression resulted in high resistance to rice striped stem borer as evidence d by insect feeding bioassays. Our results demonst rate that cry2A^＊ transgenic japonica rice confers resistance to the rice striped stem borer in the laboratory conditions.

Isolation and pathogenicity of fungi associated to ambrosia borer (<i>Euplatypus segnis</i>) found injuring pecan (<i>Carya illinoensis</i>) wood

Euplatypus segnis is an insect pest of economic importance in pecan (Carya illinoensis) trees grown at Parras, General Cepeda and Torreón Coahuila, Mexico. The objectives in this study-were to identify the fungal strains associated to ambrosia borer body and diseased pecan wood and determine their pathogenicity. The results showed that the associated fungi to Euplatypus segnis and damaging the pecan wood were identified as: Helminthosporium sp., Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Phoma sp., Ascochyta sp., Phaecylomices sp., Umbeliopsis sp., Torula sp., Fusarium solani, Alternaria alternata, Fusarum oxysporum, and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The pathogenicity tests on healthy 3 year old pecan trees cv. western using Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Alternaria alternata and Lasiodiplodia theobromae suspension conidia shown die back tree branches after 84 days inoculation. The insect in combination with the fungal invasion eventually cause the death of trees. Additionally, the insect contributes to the spread of fungi in pecan nut orchards.

Effect of Intercropping Pattern on Stem Borer Infestation in Pearl Millet (<em>Pennisetum glaucum</em>L.) Grown in the Nigerian Sudan Savannah

Fields experiments were conducted at the Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm, Maiduguri during 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons to investigate the effects of intercropping pattern on stem borer pest infestation in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) intercropped with ground nut (Arachis hypogea L.). A split-plot design was used to test the intercrop pattern of 1:0 ratio (sole millet), 1:1 ratio (1 millet row to 1 ground nut row), 2:1 ratio (2 millet rows to 1 ground nut row) and 1:2 ratio (1 millet row to 2 ground nut rows). The results obtained showed that the intercrop pattern of 1:2 ratio and 1:1 ratio yielded less stem borer infestation and abundance in pearl millet, and as well supported high panicle weight and grain yield. In addition to recommending either of these two intercropping patterns to pearl millet farmers for more effective stem borer pest management, results further show the need for identification of effective intercropping patterns in other cropping systems.