Abstract
A lepidopterous complex consisting of four species commonly referred to as langosta by local farmers, because of their locust-like, ravenous feeding behaviour, is an important constraint to sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and maize (Zea mays L.) production in Honduras. Destructive whole plant samples were taken of sorghum and maize to determine densities of the langosta species in plots managed under different planting dates, weed management, and insecticide application treatments in 1995. Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) was the dominant species while Metaponpneumata rogenhoferi (Möschler) and S. latifascia (Walker) were only present early in the crop-growing season. Mocis latipes (Guenée) was present in the mid- to late season. The langosta population density was kept below damaging levels and yield was increased for both sorghum and maize when thiodicarb (Semevin®) was used as a seed protectant in combination with delayed planting (five days after the beginning of the rainy season), delayed weed control (two to three weeks after crop emergence), and application of methomyl (Lannate®) insecticide as soon as eggs or first instar larvae were observed on the crop plants.
