Table 4 Summary statistics for FAW knowledge questions and scores (% correct responses)

Awareness

 FAW attacks Only Maize

33

34

32

ns

 FAW spread through infested seeds

40

36

45

*

 FAW spread through vegetative materials

40

41

38

ns

 FAW can cause 100% damage and loss on Maize

83

86

80

***

 FAW attacks all stages of Maize

83

87

79

***

 Older FAW caterpillar have Y shaped

46

55

38

ns

 Signs on FAW damage include small pinholes

92

93

91

***

 Heavily infested plants have moist sawdust

95

97

92

***

Management practices

 Hand picking and crushing on small scale

58

58

58

ns

 FAW can be managed through cultural methods/bio pesticides/chemicals

64

68

59

ns

 Act to control FAW when > 10 plants out 50 have signs

53

59

47

*

 Early planting at the onset of rains can prevent FAW

82

88

76

***

 Crop rotation can help reduce FAW

55

68

43

***

 Intercropping maize with beans can help reduce FAW

26

33

20

ns

 Regular weeding of farm can help prevent FAW

67

80

55

***

 Pesticides for FAW control are not dangerous for Humans

81

82

80

ns

 Important to use PPE when mixing or spraying pesticides

94

97

90

***

Empty pesticide containers can be reused

85

89

82

**

Do no spray pesticides when maize is mature or cob drying

65

66

64

ns

Mix different pesticides to make them more effective

65

70

60

*

Monitoring

 Early FAW detection allow early management

92

94

91

ns

 Important to visit maize farm 2–3 weeks after planting

84

92

75

***

 Important to continue monitoring every 3 days

88

95

81

***

 To monitor FAW walk along edges of maize fields

43

42

43

ns

 To monitor for FAW, examine 50 plants/acre in 5 different locations

50

52

48

ns

Knowledge scores

 FAW awareness

64

66

61

ns

 FAW management practices

66

72

61

**

 FAW monitoring

71

75

68

ns

 Overall FAW knowledge score

67

71

63

*