Abstract
Understanding of different damage potentials between insect species feeding on maize [Zea mays (L.)] is critical for elaborating control decision tools. There is a lack of information on the damage that the stink bug Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas) and Euschistus heros (F.) may cause to maize seedlings, especially under high densities. Therefore, we compared the damage of these species to maize in a greenhouse using four infestation levels (zero, two, four, and eight adults per plant), in a randomized complete block design with six replications. Five weekly evaluations were performed after infestation, and plants were harvested at physiological maturity. The results indicated that D. melacanthus caused more damage than E. heros in all infestation levels. Two adults of D. melacanthus per plant for 21 days resulted in the death of 96% of the plants. Euschistus heros caused four-times less damage to early-stage maize plants than D. melacanthus. Based on the regression analysis, the infestation of one E. heros adult per plant reduced the number of kernels per row and weight of harvested grain by 11%
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