MANAGEMENT OF CHILO SPP INFESTING CEREALS IN EASTERN AFRICA

The distribution and existing control measures for three important Chilo spp. (C. partellus, C. orichalcocilliellus and C. sacchariphagus) to cereal crop production in 10 east African countries and their neighbouring Indian Ocean Islands are reviewed. Various cultural, biological, host-plant resistance/tolerance and chemical control methods developed in the past 30 years of cereal research programmes are discussed. Cultural methods are very effective on Chilo spp. control, but are not widely practised. Although several effective natural enemies have been identified for Chilo spp., very few systematic programmes of their utilization have been effected. Several resistant/tolerant maize and sorghum lines have been reported, but they are not yet fully used. Chemical control though effective, has proved rather unsuccessful in traditional agriculture. Suggestions to incorporate these control methods in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes for Chilo spp. in different places in the region are given.