Insecticide studies on the maize stalk borer, Busseola fusca (Fuller), in East Africa.
Authors: Walker P. T. 
Published: July 2009

Trials in East Africa (chiefly in Tanganyika) are described to show that the time taken for first-instar larvae of Busseola fusca (Fuller) to reach the more closely packed young leaves in the central axis of the maize plant is about ten days, and that insecticides are effective up to the end of this period. Results show that the best time for control is as near hatching of the eggs as possible, but with more persistent insecticides such as endrin, economic control is possible up to five days later.

A method of testing insecticides as residual deposits, by allowing first-instar larvae to walk on them, is given, and it was found that isodrin, DDT, endrin and γ BHC are highly effective as residual films. The MLD's for one minute in contact are 1·8 mg./sq.m. for isodrin, 4–7 mg. for DDT, 8·3 mg. for endrin and about 20 mg. for γ BHC. Derris emulsion has no residual effect after drying and is only effective in the liquid state after contact with larvae for several minutes.

In a series of field trials over three years, increases in yield of up to 2·6 times the control yields were shown to be possible, and averaged twice the control yield. Endrin was the most consistently effective insecticide, applied as a 2 per cent, dust and as a 0·03–0·04 per cent, emulsion spray. Two applications of endrin at an interval of two weeks were effective, but, for DDT, three applications of an emulsion containing 0·05 per cent. DDT at nine-day intervals were more effective than two while one may be of little value. An application of 2·5 oz./acre of DDT can be effective for 7–10 days, while 1·5 oz./acre of endrin can be effective for 14 days. In general, however, rates per application should not fall below 3·5 oz. DDT or 2 oz. endrin per acre, overall.

The superiority of a 5 per cent. DDT dust over one of 2·5 or 1 per cent, makes it more economical in a high-yielding, heavily attacked area. Diazinon and malathion in emulsion sprays are less persistent than DDT.

Trials with 4 per cent, malathion dust and 0·15 per cent, malathion emulsion spray were inconclusive on account of heavy damage by Spodoptera sp.

Attempts to increase the persistence of malathion and γ BHC by the addition of chlorinated terphenyl resins were also inconclusive, but DDT in emulsion, with resin, appeared more effective than DDT alone.

The economics of successful control measures at the prices obtaining at the time are discussed under the various trials.

Chemical estimations of the deposits of insecticides retained on the plants showed that between 1·4 and 3·7 per cent, of the quantity applied per unit area can be recovered in this way.

In a discussion of the significance of the results in control, it is suggested that spraying the stems only is half as effective as spraying the whole plant.

The conditions and results relating to two aerial spray trials are given.

The place of control of Busseola in agricultural practice is described, and some of the present results are quoted to show that yields can be increased by good farming practice as much as by control of Busseola.