International Journal of Pest Management (2002) 48, 33-37

P.B. Tanzubil, G.W.K. Mensah and A.R. McCaffery (2002)
Dry season survival, diapause duration and timing of diapause termination in the millet stem borer, Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Northern Ghana
International Journal of Pest Management 48 (1), 33-37
Abstract: Studies were conducted between 1996 and 1997 in Northern Ghana on the dry season survival tactics of the millet stem borer Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson). Results confirmed that the main survival tactic employed by the insect was larval diapause, which lasts from November to May the following year. In both years, diapause termination occurred in the field 4-6 weeks after the resumption of the rains, depending on the year and location. Larval mortality rate was high during diapause with peaks occurring towards the end of the dry season in May. During the 2 years, larval populations declined by at least 50% between the start of diapause and its termination. No parasitoids were encountered during the study period, suggesting that biocontrol agents are probably not very important in the population dynamics of the insect. The implications of these findings for management of the pest are discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Paul B. Tanzubil, Alan R. McCaffery

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Coniesta ignefusalis		Ghana