Flowering weeds and Coccinellids species in white maize field

Abstract

The use of pesticides as a pest control in conventional cropping systems has caused various adverse effects such as pest resistance, resurgence and death of natural enemies. One of the best solutions is to use of natural enemies as biological control agents. Natural enemies can multiply quickly on flowering weed. The purpose of this research was to identify Coccinellids species and flowering weeds as a food source for them surrounding the maize field. Survey on the presence of Coccinellids species was conducted at maize field in Ta’deang, Maros district, South Sulawesi (5°2’7”S, Π9°41’6”E) in June until July 2019. Visual observation of Coccinellids species was conducted every weekend in the early morning. The survey was forming diagonally in fivesampling point (used 5 maize per sampling point) inside the maize field. Observation of Coccinellids species with interval 7 days. Flowering weeds were collected from similar field with Coccinellids species. The five sample of every flowering weeds were identified and recorded. The observations in white maize field from 35 to 56 days after planting indicate the common pest is grasshopper (Valanga sp.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and caterpillar hairy leaf Orgyia antiqua (Lepidoptera :Erebidae). Based on the identification of Coccinellids species in the white maize field, there are two lady bird beetle species such as Verania discolor and Menochilus sexmaculatus. Based on visual observations found flowering weeds such as :meniran/Phyllanthus niruri (Phyllanthaceae); Cleome rutidosperma (Capparidaceae); patikan/Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae), krokot/Portulaca sp. (Portulacaceae) and Eleusine indica (Poaceae). The results indicated that two types of Coccinellids were found living in four types of the flowering weeds in white maize field.