Centre d’Excellence Africain sur les Changements Climatiques, la Biodiversité et l’Agriculture Durable (CEA-CCBAD), Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
The production of maize (Zea mays L.) is subject to many constraints, particularly weeds and insects. Among the latter, the fall armyworm S. frugiperda, the foliage-feeding insect S. derogate and the aphid R. maidis cause massive crop losses. This study focused on the evaluation of maize crop infestation by these invasive insects according to the degree of plot weediness in a farm environment. The data collected in maize fields on the rate of weediness and damage from insects were treated using Statistica 7.1. software. The results obtained about the dispersion of damage caused by insect and the rates of plot weediness showed variable correlations between these two biological pests according to the concerned insect. Damages has been accentuated while the weediness. S. frugiperda was the major pest and its attacks were remarkable between a weediness rate of 10 and 60%. Damages of S. derogata were more important for a weediness degree of 45%. Regarding R. maidis, it was more aggressive when the weediness rate in maize plots reached 50%. The results of this study could offer useful tools in the main invasive insect pests control strategy in the maize crops.