The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda has spread and damaged corn in many African and a few Asian Countries recently. A recent outbreak (2019) of Spodoptera species in corn producing areas in the Island of Sumatra was suspected to be a new invasive species. Field observations were made on May 16, 2019 in the District of East and Central Lampung to identify the attacking Spodoptera species, and to observe and determine the damages. Based on the morphological characteristics, the “Y” inverted shape on the head capsule and the patterns of black spots on the abdominal segments (square and trapezoidal forms), the species was confirmed as S. frugiperda. The larvae heavily damaged the early stage of corn (approximately 2-week old) with 100% plants infested and each plant was occupied by a medium or large larva; while older corn received less damage. Larvae fed on the leaves causing defoliation before feeding on the growing point. Different damage symptoms due to S. frugiperda were compared to those of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and further discussion was made to determine the potential consequences of this new threat to the corn production in Indonesia.
Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are major pests of fruits and vegetables in many countries, including Indonesia. Knowledge of the fruit fly host range in a specific area is an important part of the area-wide pest management program to reduce the pest problem. The aim of this study was to extend and update the information on the host range of fruit flies in the Regency of Sleman, Yogyakarta. This area is one of the centers of fruit production, particularly snake fruit in Indonesia. Fruit sampling was conducted from August 2019 to February 2020 in four sub-districts in Sleman consisting of different types of agro-ecosystems. Fruit rearing was carried out in the laboratory followed by identification of the fruit and fruit flies that emerged to species level. From the 23 species of fruits belonging to 14 different families that were collected, the following 6 species of fruit flies emerged: Bactrocera dorsalis, B. carambolae, B. umbrosa, B. albistrigata, B. mcgregori, and Zeugodacus cucurbitae. Bactrocera dorsalis and B. carambolae utilized the widest range of hosts, 12 and 11 species of fruits, respectively. Syzygium cumini, Malpighia emarginata, and Phaleria macrocarpa were recorded for the first time as new hosts of B. carambolae in Indonesia. Additional data of B. dorsalis and B. carambolae infesting salak cv. pondoh is also reported.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.