Journal of Applied Entomology (2009) 133, 449-455

Y. Assefa, J. Van den Berg, A. Mitchell, B.P. Le Rü and D.E. Conlong (2009)
Record of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lep, Pyralidae) in inland South Africa and its genetic relationship with the coastal population
Journal of Applied Entomology 133 (6), 449-455
Abstract: Surveys to investigate the distribution and abundance of stem borers in natural habitats were conducted in February 2006 and January-February 2007. The surveys included eastern, northern and central parts of South Africa as well as three localities in Lesotho. During the surveys, Eldana saccharina Walker was recovered from three new localities in inland South Africa and two new indigenous hosts, Phragmites australis Cav. and Panicum maximum Jacq. from Boskop in the North-West Province and Oribi Gorge in KwaZulu-Natal respectively. Populations of E. saccharina in different parts of Africa are known for their differences in larval feeding behaviours, host plant choice and natural enemies. It is important to understand the origin of the newly recovered population for prevention of incursion and efficient management in case it invades crops. Molecular analysis indicated that the populations recovered in these new locations and from the new host plants are part of the southern African population of E. saccharina. With change in climate, and disturbance in wetlands the insect is expected in the future to be more abundant and problematic in inland areas of southern Africa.
(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): Yoseph Assefa, Johnnie van den Berg, Andrew Mitchell, Des E. Conlong, Bruno Le Rü

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Eldana saccharina		South Africa