First Report of <I>Elaphria agrotina</I> and <I>Elaphria deltoides</I> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Elaphriini) Feeding on Maize

Abstract

This is the first report of Elaphria agrotina (Guenée, 1852) and Elaphria deltoides (Möschler, 1880) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) feeding on maize (Zea mays L.). The specimens were collected in maize fields during the crop season of 2012 and 2013 in three municipalities in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Larvae were collected while feeding at the ear base, which often resulted in ears dropping to the ground. Larvae also were observed feeding on kernels in fallen ears. Ear injury often leads to reduced grain quality, and when the ears fall to the ground, reduced yield. A previous report of Striacosta albicosta (Smith, 1888) feeding on maize in Brazil was probably a misidentification of an E. agrotina male, which has wing pattern and coloration similarities with S. albicosta.

Comparison of two artificial diets to rear Elaphria agrotina

“…differences between the two tested diets reinforce the importance of evaluating different artificial diets to optimize quality and vitality of the insects, allowing populations' maintenance for several generations and for across several biology and behaviour bioassays (PARRA, 2009;SCHNEIDER, 2009). One explanation for the success of the E. agrotina colony with the Poitout & Bues's diet is the fact that the larva of this species has a preference for dry tissues and cereals, especially corn (SPECHT et al, 2014), which is the main component of this diet (POITOUT & BUES, 1974). However, even on Poitout & Bues's diet, the E. agrotina development was relatively slow as compared to that of E. nucicolora (Guenée) (approximately 60 days) reared at 21.11°C with…”

“…Reduction of one instar and the anticipated pupation with smaller size could benefit the species rather than extend its development in a hostile environment. Elaphria agrotina larvae has the same feeding behaviour as P. hilaris, which preferably feeds on dead tissues and survives close to dry plant tissues, such as straws in non-tillage systems, and on litter in a natural savannah (SPECHT et al, 2014).…”

“…Larvae of this species feed on the cob base causing toppling. In soybean, the larvae feed on pods and dry seeds (SPECHT et al, 2014), while in pineapple, they feed on the base of the bracts (GALLO et al, 2002).…”