Outbreak of Army Worm, <i>Leucania albistigma</i> Moore on Maize with Notes on Taxonomy and Management

Abstract

Army worms and cut worms are pests of crops and assume serious pest status occasionally causing significant damage to agricultural crops. Present study report the incidence and taxonomic identity of the pest which occurred in outbreak form causing severe defoliation on maize over 1000 ha in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. Infestation was also noticed on the adjoining fields of sorghum and rice at negligible level. Through morphological characters including genitalia and DNA barcoding, the taxonomic identity of Leucania albistigma Moore (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as army worm in outbreak form is reported herewith for the first time from India. As its taxonomic information was scanty, redescription of all the stages has been provided. DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis revealed that species of the genera Leucania have a close relationship with those of Mythimna. Spatial distribution indices analysed indicated the uniform distribution in soil but aggregated distribution on maize. Select insecticides were evaluated in field targeting larvae with spray and with poison bait in randomised block design. Treatments with poison bait outperformed spray formulations, indicating that the larval behaviour could be exploited for management. Species of army worms are polyphagous and occur frequently in the Indian subcontinent, the taxonomic, ecological and management studies undertaken in the present study forms a basis for future monitoring of species identity and outbreaks on cereal crops.