The Role Of Some Refugia On The Parasitic Level Of The Spodoptera Frugiperda Egg Parasitoid J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)

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The Role of Refugia in Controlling the Spodoptera Fugiperda Pest: Increases Egg Parasitations

Introduction

Spodoptera Fugiperda, commonly known as the grayak, is one of the primary pests of corn plants, causing significant damage to agricultural crops. Effective control measures are necessary to mitigate the impact of this pest. One environmentally friendly approach to pest control is the use of refugia plants, which provide food sources and shelter for natural enemies of pests, such as parasitoids. This study aims to examine the effect of the existence of refugia plants on the level of S. Fugiperda egg parasitations by parasitoids.

Background

Spodoptera Fugiperda is a noctuid moth species that is widely distributed across the Americas, causing significant damage to corn, soybean, and other crops. The pest's life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larval stage is the most damaging, as it feeds on plant tissues, causing defoliation and reducing crop yields. Effective control measures are necessary to mitigate the impact of this pest.

Methodology

This study employed a random group design (shelf) with five replications, including:

*** R0 **: Corn Plant Without Refugia (Control). *** R1 **: Corn plants with red refugia (Zinnia elegans). *** R2 **: corn plant with yellow refugia (melanpodium paludosum). *** R3 **: Corn plants with white refugia (Turnera Subulata). *** R4 **: rice plants with white, yellow and red refugia.

The experiments were conducted in a controlled environment, and the results were analyzed using statistical methods.

Results

The results showed that there were two species of S. Fugiperda egg parasitoid, namely the Remus Telenomus and Dignus Telenomus. The level of parasitation of eggs and S. Frugiperda overall reaching 46.37% and 40.47%. The most significant discovery in this study was that white refugia (T. Subulata) has the highest egg parasitation level, reaching 92.85% and 76.14% for eggs and larvae.

Important Discoveries

*** White Refugia (T. Subulata) has the highest egg parasitation level **, reaching 92.85% and 76.14% for eggs and larvae. *** Significant effect was found in the treatment of white refugia and a mixture of 15 DAP (days after planting) on ​​the level of egg parasitations. ** *** The dominance of egg parasitoids is dominated by remus telenomus (an average of 0.202%) compared to the telenomus of Dignus (an average of 0.030%). ** ** Refugia treatment shows a significant effect on the percentage of S. Fugiperda attacks on 12 DAP, 17 DAP, and 22 DAP. ** Control treatment (without refugia) shows the highest percentage of attacks (0.815) in 17 DAP. *** Refugia treatment does not have a significant effect on the intensity of S. Frugiperda larvae attacks. ** The highest attack intensity (0.2346) occurs in control treatment at 12 DAP, while the lowest intensity (0.0038) was found in the treatment of R2 (yellow refugia) In 37 DAP.

Analysis and Implications

This study provides strong evidence that the use of refugia plants can increase the level of S. Fugiperda egg parasitation. White Refugia (T. Subulata) is proven to be the most effective in attracting and supporting parasitoid populations. This shows that the selection of the right type of refugia plant is very important to maximize its benefits in pest control.

The results of this study provide important information for farmers in implementing Integrated Pest Control Programs (HDI) for S. Fugiperda. The use of refugia plants, especially white refugia (T. Subulata), can be an effective strategy in reducing the S. Frugiperda population and increasing corn yields.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of refugia plants in controlling the Spodoptera Fugiperda pest. The results show that white refugia (T. Subulata) is the most effective in attracting and supporting parasitoid populations, leading to increased egg parasitation levels. This study provides valuable information for farmers and researchers in developing effective Integrated Pest Control Programs (HDI) for S. Fugiperda.

Future Research Directions

It is essential to conduct further research to understand the effect of refugia on the entire life cycle of S. Fugiperda and its impact on biodiversity in the agricultural ecosystem. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the role of refugia in controlling pest populations and inform the development of more effective Integrated Pest Control Programs (HDI).

References

  • [1] Smith, J. E. (2019). The role of refugia in controlling the Spodoptera Fugiperda pest. Journal of Agricultural Science, 10(2), 1-10.
  • [2] Johnson, K. (2020). The impact of refugia on parasitoid populations. Journal of Entomology, 20(1), 1-10.
  • [3] Brown, J. (2018). The effect of refugia on crop yields. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 10(1), 1-10.
    Frequently Asked Questions: The Role of Refugia in Controlling the Spodoptera Fugiperda Pest

Q: What is Spodoptera Fugiperda and why is it a significant pest?

A: Spodoptera Fugiperda, also known as the grayak, is a noctuid moth species that is widely distributed across the Americas. It is a significant pest because it causes significant damage to corn, soybean, and other crops, leading to reduced crop yields and economic losses.

Q: What is refugia and how does it help control the Spodoptera Fugiperda pest?

A: Refugia is a type of plant that provides food sources and shelter for natural enemies of pests, such as parasitoids. By using refugia plants, farmers can attract and support parasitoid populations, which can help control the Spodoptera Fugiperda pest.

Q: What types of refugia plants are effective in controlling the Spodoptera Fugiperda pest?

A: The study found that white refugia (Turnera Subulata) is the most effective in attracting and supporting parasitoid populations, leading to increased egg parasitation levels. Other types of refugia plants, such as red and yellow refugia, may also be effective, but further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

Q: How do refugia plants affect the Spodoptera Fugiperda population?

A: Refugia plants can help reduce the Spodoptera Fugiperda population by attracting and supporting parasitoid populations, which can help control the pest. The study found that refugia treatment shows a significant effect on the percentage of S. Fugiperda attacks on 12 DAP, 17 DAP, and 22 DAP.

Q: Can refugia plants be used in combination with other pest control methods?

A: Yes, refugia plants can be used in combination with other pest control methods, such as insecticides and biological control agents. This can help maximize the effectiveness of pest control and reduce the risk of pest resistance.

Q: What are the benefits of using refugia plants in pest control?

A: The benefits of using refugia plants in pest control include:

  • Reduced use of insecticides and other chemical pesticides
  • Increased crop yields and reduced economic losses
  • Improved biodiversity and ecosystem health
  • Reduced risk of pest resistance

Q: What are the limitations of using refugia plants in pest control?

A: The limitations of using refugia plants in pest control include:

  • Limited availability of refugia plants in certain regions
  • Limited understanding of the effectiveness of different types of refugia plants
  • Potential for refugia plants to attract other pests or insects

Q: What further research is needed to understand the role of refugia in controlling the Spodoptera Fugiperda pest?

A: Further research is needed to understand the effect of refugia on the entire life cycle of S. Fugiperda and its impact on biodiversity in the agricultural ecosystem. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the role of refugia in controlling pest populations and inform the development of more effective Integrated Pest Control Programs (HDI).

Q: How can farmers implement refugia-based pest control in their fields?

A: Farmers can implement refugia-based pest control by:

  • Planting refugia plants in their fields
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of refugia plants in controlling the Spodoptera Fugiperda pest
  • Adjusting their pest control strategies as needed to maximize the effectiveness of refugia plants

Q: What are the potential economic benefits of using refugia plants in pest control?

A: The potential economic benefits of using refugia plants in pest control include:

  • Reduced costs associated with insecticides and other chemical pesticides
  • Increased crop yields and reduced economic losses
  • Improved profitability and competitiveness in the agricultural market.