Field Studies on Insect Pest of Pearl Millet in Sudan, the Millet Head Miner Heliocheilus albipunctella (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

This chapter describes the findings of field studies conducted 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, while at Abu Zabad location appeared on 23/8/93. The moths disappeared earlier in September, i.e., on 18/9/93 in the first location and on 23/8/93 and 4/10/93, respectively in the second location.

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 findings revealed that compact heads supported significantly fewer tunnels (P < 0.01), compared to loose semi- compact heads. In conclusion, the appearance of the millet-worm, Heliocheilus during the rainy season coincided with the heading stage of the millet and its disappearance from the field with the maturity of the crop. The oviposition sites recorded were the heads of millet only; no other oviposition site, and/or other plant parts were recorded.