Thrips species composition and seasonal abundance was studied on maize crops during two seasons (2006)(2007)

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European corn borer (ECB) (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) is currently the most dangerous maize pest in Poland. During last five years the pest was recorded in 14 Polish voivodeships, covering over half of the country's area. The greatest harmful activity of the caterpillars was observed in warm southern regions of Poland.Field experiments carried out in southern Poland in the 2006-2007 growing seasons demonstrated that the average plant damage of non-Bt hybrids by O. nubilalis caterpillars varied between 40.0% and 44.0% in 5 locations and two seasons. Under the same pest pressure a high level of resistance of genetically modified (GM) Bt maize (MON 810) cultivars, expressing Cry1Ab toxic protein to infestation by ECB was noted. The average plant infestation of transgenic hybrids was equal to 0.5-0.7% in the same locations. Only some slight symptoms of injuries, such as small number of holes in stalks and gnawing of cobs was observed. Moreover, the tested transgenic hybrids demonstrated a high suitability for climate and soil conditions in Poland, providing early crops of high yield.

Abstract:The experiment was conducted in the 2006-2008 time period, in Nienadówka near Rzeszów, Poland (50°11' N, 22°06' E). The high suitability of light traps for the monitoring of Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. moth flights on maize fields was shown. These light traps were compared to the pheromone types of traps; the "delta" model, and the "funnel" with a pheromone dispenser containing Z-11-tetradecenyl acetate (series ONC036A and ONC048A/107). In the light trap, the first moths were found in the second decade or third decade of June. The population peak was in the first decade or second decade of July, and the end of the flight in August. In The first male moths were captured in the pheromone traps in the third decade of June or the first decade of July, with a slightly marked population peak in the first or second decade of July. The moth flight ended in the last decade of July.The first egg clusters of O. nubilalis were usually recorded 4-7 days after the first moths were found in the light trap. In the pheromone traps, the first male O. nubilalis individuals were usually found a few days following the oviposition of the first pest egg clusters, except in 2006, when the moths presence was observed in the field 2-3 days before the first eggs were found on maize plants.

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