Attempts at the Biological Control of Major Insect Pests of Maize in Barbados, W.I

In Barbados, over seventeen species of insects have been found attacking maize. Amongst the Lepidoptera, Spodoptera frugiperda is the leading pest, causing considerable damage to the young crop. Thirteen species of indigenous natural enemies, attacking eggs, larvae and pupae have been recorded. Because of the ineffectiveness of these natural enemies to control the pest, a number of exotic parasites were introduced from the Indian and Pakistani Stations of the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control. Of these imported species, an egg-parasite Telenomus remus and a pupal parasite, Trichospiluspupivora became established;the former now destroys over 80% egg-masses of Spodoptera spp., contributing to the reduction of the pest populations in Barbados. At this stage, i t is quite possible that the addition of some other larval/pupal parasite(s) in the existing complex should solve the pest problem permanently. The establishment of T. remus in Barbados, is a step forward towards the final goal, and this parasite can now be supplied to other Caribbean territories, where Spodoptera's are the main problem.