Integrated control of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith & Abbott) using the parasitoid Telenomus remus Nixon

This study was conducted in 1996 and 1997 to evaluate the efficiency of releasing Telenomus remus Nixon (around 200,000 adults/ha) alone or integrated to Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith & Abbott) Spodoptera frugiperda nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SFNPV) or to a selective insecticide to control the insect. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with six treatments and four replications. Leaf damage caused by the pest (visual scale from 0 to 5) and the grain yield were evaluated. In general, the damage was significantly higher in the check plots (average of 2.94) than in the other treatments (average of 1.04). Similarly, there was significant difference in yield between check plots (7,165 kg/ha) and the other treatments (9,084 kg/ha). There was no difference in ear length and damage caused to the ear among treatments.