| Seasonal population dynamics of Spodoptera exigua and Sesamia cretica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on corn in north of Khuzestan province, south west of Iran |
| Paper ID : 1037-3IICE (R1) |
| Authors: |
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Ali Rajabpour *, Neemat Dinarvand, Nooshin Zandi-Sohani Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Ahvaz, Iran |
| Abstract: |
| Corn, Zea mays L., has played a very important role as a food source for humans and animals. The plant has been attacked by various pests including lepidopteran insects in Iran. Among the lepidopteran pests, Sesamia cretica Led. and Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) cause severe damage to the crop in Khuzestan province. In this study, seasonal population dynamics of the pest were investigated during two agricultural seasons, 2016-2017, in Shosh district, Khuzestan province. Samplings were performed two times per week in an experimental corn field, 2 hectares. In each sampling date, number of moth, eggs and various larval instars were recorded. Population density of egg and larvae were recorded in suite using hand-held magnifier. Populations of each moths was monitored using delta-shaped traps contained sex pheromone. Results showed that S. exigua and S. cretica has two generations in summer cultivation of corn. The first moth of both species was occurred in mid-August. Peak flight of S. exigua and S. cretica moths were recorded in end of August (0.1 moth per trap). The highest oviposition of S. exigua and S. cretica were recorded in early and end August, respectively. The larval population peaks of S. exigua and S. cretica were observed in September and August with means of 0.14 and 0.08 larvae per plant, respectively. Results of this study can be used for developing integrated pest management program of the pests in Khuzestan province. |
| Keywords: |
| Key words: lepidopteran pests, maize field, biology, IPM |
| Status : Paper Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
