The rice leafroller Cnaphalocrocis exigua (Butler) in the only species of the rice leaf folder/roller complex in Fiji. It is one of the major rice pests in the country, its pest status being exacerbrated by the cultivation of high-yielding varieties with minimal pest resistance. Detailed studies on the biology of the moth, in particular on the development, emergence, mating and flight behaviour, effect of adult nutrition on fecundity, egg hatchability and longevity, effect of larval nutrition on larval survival, pupation, pupal weight, pupal eclosion, and fecundity, egg hatchability and longevity of resultant adults, parasitism, and population ecology of C. exigua were carried out in Fiji from 1985 to 1987, and from June to August 1990. This study showed that there are several parasitoids of C. exigua in Fiji, and of those the egg and larval parasitoids Trichogramma sp. and Trathala flavo-orbitalis (Cameron) respectively are significant biotic mortality factors. Their impact as natural suppressors of C. exigua in fields of high yielding rice varieties was, however, inadequate to prevent C. exigua reaching damaging levels. Since C. exigua responds strongly to rice varietal differences, plant nitrogen status, and seasonal factors, is suspected to utilise pheromones during mating, and has numerous biocontrol agents in South East Asia and the Philippines, it appears to be an excellent candidate for an integrated pest management (IPM) program in Fiji. Before IPM strategies can be formulated, however, further investigations on rice varietal resistance, exploitation of exotic parasitoids and pathogens, and detailed studies on the possible presence of sex pheromones need to be conducted. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/182093 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | Singh, Satya Ram, University of Western Sydney, Faculty of Science, Technology and Agriculture, School of Horticulture |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Source | THESIS_FTA_HOR_SINGH_S.xml |
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