Maize is one of the most important plants in the
western side of Romania. During 2002-2005, the research carried out in
untreated culture, in the Experimental Field from Jimbolia (Timiş County)
pointed out the presence of many damaging species. The most important
damaging species concerning the attacked percentage were: Tanymechus
dillaticolis (47-69.5%), adults of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (34.6-
40.33%), Oulema melanopa (27.9 - 32.5%), Opatrum sabulosum (17.5-
31.0%), Ostrinia nubilalis (18.87-25.5%) and Aphis maidis (7.13-16.6%).
Larvae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera caused characteristically stalk
bending in 4.42-11.08% plants from all the investigated plants. The
presence of these pests caused significantly yield decrease

Adam, Floarea

Badea, Ana-Maria

Grozea, Ioana

Prunar, Florin-Vasile

Cercetari Agronomice in Moldova

ALSE Repository

MAIZE PESTS AND THEIR DAMAGING EFFECT   15       DIVERSITY OF MAIZE PESTS AND THEIR DAMAGING EFFECT IN AN AGROECOSYSTEM FROM THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE COUNTRY  Ioana GROZEA*, Ana Maria BADEA, F. PRUNAR, Floarea ADAM Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Timisoara  ABSTRACT - Maize is one of the most important plants in the western side of Romania. During 2002-2005, the research carried out in untreated culture, in the Experimental Field from Jimbolia (Timiş County) pointed out the presence of many damaging species. The most important damaging species concerning the attacked percentage were: Tanymechus dillaticolis (47-69.5%), adults of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (34.6-40.33%), Oulema melanopa (27.9 - 32.5%), Opatrum sabulosum (17.5-31.0%), Ostrinia nubilalis (18.87-25.5%) and Aphis maidis (7.13-16.6%). Larvae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera caused characteristically stalk bending in 4.42-11.08% plants from all the investigated plants. The presence of these pests caused significantly yield decrease.  Key words: maize, diversity, pests, Western Plain  REZUMAT - Diversitatea dăunătorilor porumbului şi daunele produse într-un agroecosistem din partea vestică a ţării.  Porumbul ocupă un loc important în rândul culturilor din partea de vest a ţării. În perioada 2002-2005, cercetările efectuate într-o cultură netratată din Câmpul Experimental Jimbolia-judeţul Timiş au evidenţiat prezenţa mai multor specii dăunătoare.Cele mai importante specii dăunătoare au atacat plantele de porumb, astfel : Tanymechus dillaticolis (47-69.5%), adulţii de Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (34.6-40.33%), Oulema melanopa (27.9 - 32.5%), Opatrum sabulosum (17.5-31.0%), Ostrinia nubilalis (18.87-25.5%) şi Aphis maidis (7.13-16.6%). Larvele de Diabrotica virgifera au cauzat îndoiri caracteristice la 4.42-11.08% din plantele analizate. Larvele şi adulţii de Diabrotica v., Oulema m. şi Ostrinia n. (larve) sunt consideraţi cei mai importanti dăunători ai porumbului, cu importante implicaţii economice.   Cuvinte cheie: porumb, diversitate, dăunători, câmpia vestică                                                      * E-mail: ioana_entomol@yahoo.com IOANA GROZEA ET AL.   16  INTRODUCTION  Maize growing is very important in the western side of Romania, requiring the knowledge of the damaging insects. Maize growing and development are negatively influenced by pests (Grozea et al., 2001).  In our country and in other European countries, pests can be a serious problem for most of farmers (Bărbulescu et al., 2001; Furlan et al., 2001, Tsitsipis et al., 2001). Some of these pests are new for European maize growing, such as Diabrotica virgifera virgifera species (Grozea et al., 2001; Riedel, 1994; Ratcliffe et al, 2003). The economic impact is great (Edwards, 1994), therefore, the knowledge of dynamics and attack percentage is necessary.    MATERIALS AND METHODS  Research was carried out under the field conditions of the western side of Romania. The observations were made on untreated maize crop, in a location near Jimbolia (Timiş County). Continuous cropping has been practiced for two years. For establishing the damaging pest species, readings were made every 10-15 days, during May-September, by soil sampling and direct observations on crop. For the most important pests we have tried to establish the number and the percentage of attacked plants. The samples were examined under laboratory conditions. For details, we have used the magnifying glass.   RESULTS AND DISCUSSION  Because of the practice of continuous cropping system, maize crop was invaded by many pests during the testing period (2002-2004). The biodiversity of species was great: Tanymechus dillaticolis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Oulema melanopa, Phyllotreta vittula, Phyllotreta atra, Chaetocnema arridula, Phytodecta fornicata (Coleopera: Chrysomelidae), Agriotes sp. (Coleoptera: Elateridae), Opatrum sabulosum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Zabrus tenebrioides (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Anisopliasp. (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae), Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyraustidae), Scotia sgetum (Lepidopetra: Noctuidae), Oscinis frit (Diptera: Chloropidae), Aphis maidis (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Cicadidae sp. (Homoptera: Cicadellidae (Table 1).     MAIZE PESTS AND THEIR DAMAGING EFFECT   17 Table 1 Diversity of maize pest species in Jimbolia, Timiş district, 2002-2005  Order Family Species Aphididae Aphis maydis Fich. Homoptera Cicadellidae Cicadidae sp.  Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte Oulema melanopa L. Phyllotreta vittula Red. Phyllotreta atra F. Chaetocnema arridula Gyll. Chrysomelidae Phytodecta fornicata  Brugman. Curculionidae Tanymechus dillaticolis Gyll. Elateridae Agriotes sp. Tenebrionidae Opatrum sabulosum L. Carabidae Zabrus tenebrioides Goeze Coleoptera Scarabeidae Anisoplia sp. Hbst. Pyraustidae Ostrinia nubilalis Hb. Lepidoptera Noctuidae Scotia segetum Schiff. Diptera Chloropidae Oscinis frit L.  Table 2 Number of attacked plants (from 600 studied plants) by different pests, in a maize crop from Jimbolia, 2002  Species Percentage of attacked plants (%) Mean Sample 15 May 2 June16 June4 July17 July2 Aug 16 Aug 3 Sept. % Tanymechus dilaticollis* 60.0 40.0 - - - - - - 50.0 Opatrum sabulosum 27.0 35.0 - - - - - - 31.0 Diabrotica v. virgifera (larvae)** - 1.5 2.0 3.5 7.0 9.5 11.5 - 11.08 Diabrotica v. virgifera (adults)*** - - 4.5 27.5 34.0 45.5 48.5 51.0 35.17 Oulema melanopa*** - - 12.0 23.0 33.5 44.5 49.5 - 32.5 Ostrinia nubilalis***  - 8.0 28.0 30.5 31.5 - - 32.0 Phyllotreta vittula 4.5 9.0 9.5 - - - - - 24.5 Aphis maydis 8.5 13.0 28.5 - - - - - 16.6 Agriotes sp. 1.5 2.5 3.0 - - - - - 2.33 Cicadidae - 2.5 3.0 7.5 13.5 - - - 6.62 *superficial attack **plants with” goose neck” bending stalk  ***strong attack  IOANA GROZEA ET AL.   18 Research (2002) has shown the presence of Tanymechus dilaticollis, Aphis maidis, Agriotes sp. and Phyllotreta vitulla in the first vegetation period, respectively, at the beginning of maize growing. In June, the following species appeared: Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Oulema melanopa, Ostrinia nubilalis and Cicadidae. The last pests observed in the field were the adults of Diabrotica v. virgifera (at the beginning of September). The same results were registered in 2003. In 2004, delayed pest appearance was noticed in these species, because of the low temperatures registered in April and May. As concerns the percentage of attacked plants, the importance of some species could be noticed: Tanymechus dillaticolis (47-59.5%), adults of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (34.6-40.33%), Oulema melanopa (27.9- 32.5%), Opatrum sabulosum (17.5-31.0%), Ostrinia nubilalis (18.87-24.62%) and Aphis maidis (7.13-16.6%)  (Tables 2, 3, 4; Figure 1)  Table 3 Number of attacked plants (from 600 studied plants) by different pests, in a maize crop from Jimbolia, 2003  Species Percentage of attacked plants (%) Mean Sample 15 May 2 June16 June4 July 17 July 2 Aug 16 Aug 3 Sept. % Tanymechus dilaticollis* 74.0 45.0 - - - - - - 69.5 Opatrum sabulosum 23.0 35.0 - - - - - - 29.0 Diabrotica v. virgifera (larvae)** 0.5 3.5 5.0 6.5 7.0 10.5 - - 5.5 Diabrotica v. virgifera (adults)*** - - 7.5 27.5 44.0 49.5 54.5 59.0 40.33 Oulema melanopa*** - - 11.0 24.0 30.5 34.5 39.5 - 27.9 Ostrinia nubilalis***  - 10.0 20.5 32.5 35.5 - - 24.62 Phyllotreta vittula 4.5 9.0 9.5 - - - - - 7.66 Aphis maydis 8.5 10.0 20.5 - - - - - 13.0 Agriotes sp. 0.5 1.5 2.0 - - - - - 1,3 Cicadidae - 1.5 3.5 7.5 14.5 - - - 9.0  *superficial attack **plants with” goose neck” bending stalk  ***strong attack    MAIZE PESTS AND THEIR DAMAGING EFFECT   19 Table 4 Number of attacked plants (from 600 studied plants) by different pests, in a maize crop from Jimbolia, 2004  Species Percentage of attacked plants (%) Mean Sample 15 May 2 June16 June4 July 17 July 2 Aug 16 Aug 3 Sept. % Tanymechus dilaticollis* 50.0 54.0 - - - - - - 47.0 Opatrum sabulosum 15.0 20.0 - - - - - - 17.5 Diabrotica v. virgifera (larvae)** - 0.5 1.0 3.5 5.0 6.0 10.5 - 4.42 Diabrotica v. virgifera (adults)*** - - - 17.5 24.0 39.5 45.5 46.5 34.6 Oulema melanopa*** - - - 23.0 28.0 34.5 40.5 - 31.5 Ostrinia nubilalis*** - - - 6.0 13.5 25.0 31.0 - 18.87 Phyllotreta vittula 3.5 7.0 7.5 10.5 - - - - 7.13 Aphis maydis 7.5 11.0 25.5 - - - - - 14.66 Agriotes sp. 1.0 1.5 1.5 - - - - - 1.66 Cicadidae - 0.5 1.0 6.5 11.5 - - - 6.37 *superficial attack **plants with” goose neck” bending stalk  ***strong attack 0102030405060Tanymechus d. Opatrum s. Diabrotica v. Oulema m.Ostrinia n. Phyllotreta v. Aphis m. Agriotes s.%2002 2003 2004  Figure 1 - Dynamics of major pests as concerns the percentage of attacked plants  IOANA GROZEA ET AL.   20 The frequency of Tanymechus dilaticollis was great, but not so aggressive. The attack was superficial. The climatic conditions were unfavourable to the development of the adults. The other pests Phyllotreta vitula, Agriotes sp. and Cicadidae had a low impact on maize crop. Diabrotica v. virgifera larvae were present from May (2002 and 2003) and June (2004) until the beginning of August. Larvae of Diabrotica v. virgifera caused characteristically stalk bending at 4.42-11.08% of all the investigated plants.  As concerns the damaging percentage at the stage of silking and cob formation, the importance of three species frequently grown in the Western side of the country was noticed: Ostrinia nubilalis, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera and Oulema melanopa (Figures 2, 3, 4). In 2005, the values registered were the highest in all the studied years. 0102030405060Diabroticav. larvaDiabroticav. adultOulemam.Ostrinia n.Cicadidae2003 Figure 2 - The percentage of attacked plants at the stage of silking  and cob formation  01020304050Diabroticav. larvaDiabroticav. adultOulemam.Ostrinian.Cicadidae2004 Figure 3 - The percentage of attacked plants at the stage of silking and cob formation  MAIZE PESTS AND THEIR DAMAGING EFFECT   21  051015202530354045Diabroticav. larvaDiabroticav. adultOulemam.Ostrinia n.Cicadidae2005 Figure 4 -The percentage of attacked plants at the stage of silking and cob formation   CONCLUSIONS  The biodiversity of maize pests was great. The most important pest species were: Tanymechus dillaticolis (47-69.5%), adults of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (34.6-40.33%), Oulema melanopa (27.9- 32.5%), Opatrum sabulosum (17.5-29.0%), Ostrinia nubilalis (18.87-25.5%) and Aphis maidis (7.13-16.6%).   Tanymechus dilaticollis, Opatrum sabulosum and Aphis maidis were present at high number, but their attack was not aggressive. Larvae and adults of Diabrotica v., Oulema m, and Ostrinia n. (larvae) are the most important maize pests.  The year 2003 was very favourable to pest development. In 2003, the lowest values were registered, because of the presence of rainfall and low temperatures, especially at the first vegetation stages.   REFERENCES  Bărbulescu A., Voiculescu I., Popov C., Vasilescu S., 2001 - A new product Cruiser for maize seed treatment against Tanymechus dillaticollis, XXI IWWGO Conference, Italy Edwards C.R., Larry W.B., Turpin F.T, 1994 - Field crop insects managing corn rootworm. Purdue University, Cooperative extension service, E-49, 1-6, West Lafayette Furlan L., Vicenyo G., Pavan A., Bianchi M., 2001 - Ostrinia nubilalis population level in North-eastern Italy, XXI IWGO Conference, Veneto, Italy IOANA GROZEA ET AL.   22 Grozea Ioana, 2001 – First signals of the attack caused by adults and larvae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte, Agricultura Banatului, year VII, no. 10-11 ( 57-58), p 8 Grozea Ioana, 2001- Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte-corn rootworm. Mirton, Timişoara Riedel W.E., 1994 - Root responses of maize hybrids following corn rootworm larval feeding damage, Cereal Research Communication, 22 4, 327 Ratcliffe Susan T., Gray M.E., Steffey L.K., 2003 - Western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera http://ipm.uiuc.edu/fieldcrops/insects/western corn rootworm, University of Illinois, 1-3 Tsitsipis J.A., Katis N.I., Harrnyton R., 2001 - Seasonal appearance of cereal and maize aphids, XXI IWWGO Conference, Italy  

Diversity of maize pests and their damaging effect in an agroecosystem from the Western side of the country

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Diversity of maize pests and their damaging effect in an agroecosystem from the Western side of the country

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