Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, Vol 90, No 3 (2025)

Identification of Drino quadrizonula Thomson and Chelonus sp. as Larval Parasitoids of Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith in the Guinea Savanna Agroecological Zones of Nigeria

Olusegun Adebayo OJUMOOLA, Azeezat Arinola USMAN, Judith Adejoke FALOLA-OLASUNKANMI, Mujidat Temidayo LAWAL

Pages: 233-241

Summary


The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, is a destructive invasive pest threatening maize production across sub-Saharan Africa. With rising concerns over chemical pesticide resistance and environmental safety, biological control offers a sustainable alternative for FAW management. This study was conducted to identify larval parasitoids of FAW in the Southern and Northern Guinea Savanna agroecological zones of Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 100 FAW larvae were collected from maize fields in each zone using a W-shaped sampling pattern and reared individually in the laboratory under controlled conditions. Emergent parasitoids were morphologically identified and their abundance in each zone recorded. Two larval parasitoids were identified: Drino quadrizonula Thomson (Diptera: Tachinidae) and a species of Chelonus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). D. quadrizonula accounted for 100% of the parasitoids recovered in the Northern Guinea Savanna but only 6.25% of the total parasitoids. D. quadrizonula was also recorded in the Southern Guinea Savanna, accounting for 31.25% of the total parasitoids. Chelonus sp. was the most abundant overall, comprising 62.50% of the total parasitoids across both zones. However, it was only observed emerging from larvae collected in the Southern Guinea Savanna. This is the first documented report of D. quadrizonula and Chelonus sp. parasitizing FAW larvae in these agroecological zones in Nigeria. Further studies are recommended to assess the seasonal dynamics, parasitism efficacy, host specificity, and ecological adaptability of these parasitoids as part of an integrated FAW management strategy in West Africa.


Keywords


biological control, fall armyworm, parasitoids, guinea savanna, Nigeria

Full Text: PDF