The occurrence dynamics and sex ratio of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera adults on different corn hybrids in western Romania

Species which are the subject of study for this paper is an invasive insect for corn in Europe and thus in Romania. It is a coleopteran insect from genus Diabrotica, respectively Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte, known as "western corn rootworm". Adults’ species cause significant loss of production, especially during the appearance of silk and are active in the period from June to September. The objective of this study was to specify the occurrence dynamic of adults on different type of corn hybrids in order to establish the influence of these on development of insects. In addition, their sexual structure (sex-ratio) were specified. Studies were conducted in Timis county, locality Narau, in period of 2015- 2016. Corn hybrids which were made observations have belonged to different maturity groups (FAO), such as follows: DKC 3811 (extra-early type), SY Respect and SY Zephyr (semi-early type) P8523, SY Arioso, SY Irridium (early type) and DKC 5276 (semi-late type). Each plot consisted of 16 rows of corn /hybrid having 4 repetitions. The adults were captured with pheromone traps (Csalomon® type). The observations revealed significant differences between those seven groups of corn hybrids. The most numerous individuals were quantified in lots of semi-early hybrid and semi-late type with average values of 120.22 respectively 283.00/trap. During the flight of adults, the greatest number was registered early August. Females predominated in all versions of hybrids, regardless of group maturity. Their percentage in the total number of captures stood from 63.7 to 86.5. Large presence of adults in the experimental plots was somehow associated with the appearance and maintenance of silk and pollen

Assesment of population level of the invazive species Nezara viridula in diferent crops from South West of Romania

Green bug (Nezara viridula) is a pest recently reported in our country (respectively in 2010, Timisoara). It is known to be present in different areas and different plants. It has a different food regime from one area to another. Therefore, in this paper we proposed an approach to knowledge the population size in Caras Severin County, from the South-West of Romania. The research covered all areas of the county and were carried out during the years 2015-2016. Observations were conducted in eight cities (Resita, Caransebes, Oravita, Anina, Bocsa, Moldova Noua, Herculane and Otelu Rosu). In each locality was determined several areas and observation points (ZO-5/OP-5) representing the previously established crops. Readings were performed monthly beginning in June and ending with October. The plants under the macroscopic observations were part of both agricultural area and the horticultural. The results of the monitoring and measurement of specimens found have shown an abundance of species in areas Bocsa, Oravita and Herculane. Maximum values recorded in observation points reached 80-100 individuals. Few individuals were made in Resita and Caransebes (8-12 individuals). Most specimens were observed during August-September. In all areas monitored prevailed larvae and nymphs. As regards the type of crop/plant, it can be noted that the higher presence was indicated on corn, beans, tomatoes, and berries. Bug has not been reported in towns: Anina, Moldova Noua and Otelu Rosu. The presence of the species was noted especially in the lowlands of the county and less or no in higher areas. Bug current state in the Caras-Severin County are of installation and ongoing monitoring

Current situation of insects species which are affecting the plants in The Botanical Park of Timisoara

The green spaces represent places of relaxation and release from the daily stress for many of the inhabitants of Timisoara but also from the other villages of the Timis county. The botanical park or botanical garden is one of the most visited green places, being located near the central historical area and also constituting an important didactic and scientific support. The plants that enter its composition are both herbaceous and arboreous. In the last 10 years since its rearrangement, a number of plants have been affected by insects, either indigenous or invasive. A current overview of the analyzed landscape shows that it has lost its aesthetic and scientific qualities, so that areas with healthy plants alternate with areas with affected plants (natural color change, appearance of sticky secretions and inadequate odors due to the attack of Hemiptera, premature maturation, etc.). For an efficient management of the monitoring activities, the park was divided into 5 sectors, in which, 10 observation points were established. Monthly, during May-September, 2019, readings were made at each observation point (identified with the help of GPS mobile). From our observations it was found that the following species of insects were present, at a medium and high population level: Metcalfa pruinosa, Nezara viridula, Cydalima perspectalis, Cameraria ohridella Tetranychus urticae, Eriophyes tiliae, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Aphis gossypii and Eriosoma lanigerum. Also other species were observed, but at a lower level. We focused mainly on invasive species, which unfortunately were the most aggressive, in many cases their attack manifesting until the plant is compromised. This is the case of the species Metcalfa pruinosa (from Hemiptera) and Cydalyma perspectalis (from Lepidoptera) which have proved to be the most dangerous insect species for the plants in the botanical park