DISTRIBUTION OF MAIZE STEM BORERS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Feeding by borer larvae on maize plants usually results in crop losses as a consequence of the death of the growing point (dead heart), early leaf senescence, reduced translocation, lodging and direct damage to the ears. Therefore, a survey of maize stem borers was conducted in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State (Egbeda, Eleyele, Atiba and Afijio). Data of   each site was recorded using a structured questionnaire. Information on the longitude, latitude and elevation of each farm was obtained using Geographical Positioning System (GPS) equipment. Five farms were surveyed in each LGAs for stem borer larvae infestation, the larvae obtained were caged separately based on LGAs on maize seedlings using wooden cages measuring 50 cm ×50 cm in diameter and 150 cm in height and reared to adults, then taken to Insect Museum at the Department of Crop Protection, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State for identification. The results showed that species of Sesamia calamistis were found to be prevalent at Egbeda and Odooba (Egbeda LGA), Abatan (Akinyele LGA), Aboki and Abaoke (Atiba LGA) and Fiditi (Afijio LGA) recorded the highest (3.0) number of stem borer larvae while the lowest (1.0) number of stem borer were found in Ajibade and Anifa (Akinyele LGA), Ojakoso in Atiba LGA and Akowe in Afijio LGA.