Mercy Jemutai Kibii works at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) as a Research Assistant. Recently, Mercy graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Master’s degree
in Crop Protection. Prior to joining University of Nairobi, Mercy received her undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science in Zoology/Botany) at the University of Eldoret and a Diploma course in
Applied Biology at the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute. Mercy sat for her O level examinations in the year 2004 at Kaptagat Girls’ High School. Mercy is a crop protectionist by profession and her research interest is in
the development of integrated pest management strategies which are sustainable, affordable and safe to humans and the environment. During her free time Mercy likes adventure and reading journals and books.
Abstract
Fall armyworm, (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous pest challenging maize production in Africa. A survey was conducted in different agro ecological zones of Kenya to catalogue the parasitoids
attacking FAW eggs in maize crop. The survey was carried out in five counties namely, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta (low altitude), Makueni (mid altitude) and Kirinyaga (high altitude) in the year 2018. Fall
armyworm egg masses were collected from the field, incubated in the laboratory for parasitoid emergence and percent parasitism determined. Morphological and molecular identification of parasitoids was carried
out. Morphological characterization was done based on type of antennae while molecular characterization involved the use of LCO/HCO primers targeting CO1 gene region. Subsequently, performance of parasitoids on FAW egg density was assessed under laboratory conditions. FAW egg density (20,40 and 60) were exposed to an individual mated female parasitoid (T. remus or T. chilonis) for 24 hours. Percent parasitism,
FAW emergence, egg mortality and female progeny was determined.Trichogramma chilonis (Trichogrammatidae: Hymenoptera) and Telenomus remus (Platygastridae: Hymenoptera) were the key egg
parasitoids recovered. Diversity of egg parasitoids and percent parasitism were higher in mid and high altitudes than low altitude and it ranged from 4.4 to 13.2% for T. chilonis and 0 to 21.4% for T. remus,
with the latter being predominant. Percent parasitism, FAW emergence,egg mortality and sex ratio varied significantly per female parasitoid species with FAW egg densities offered. Under controlled conditions,
53 to 90% and 57 to 96% FAW eggs were either killed/parasitized by T.chilonis and T. remus respectively. Sex ratio (percent female progeny) varied significantly among the parasitoid species with T. remus
recording the highest (83.3%).
Key words: Telenomus, Trichogramma, egg density, parasitism,
factitious
Research Supervisors
Dr. Felister M. Mbute Nzuve (UON)
Dr. Samira Mohamed (ICIPE)
Dr. Subramanian Sevgan (ICIPE)
