New Data Regarding the Appearance, Evolution and the Attack Produced by Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. Species, at Maize Crop, under the Center of Moldavia Conditions

Abstract

Pests are a considerable limiting factor in the production of corn crop. Their knowledge, but also the moment of occurrence and evolution in a certain area, is of particular importance in establishing prevention and control measures in order to limit the population under PED but also the harvest losses. Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. species was present and caused damage to the maize crop from the Central part of Moldova, for which reason observations and determinations were made regarding the evolution of the species, the mode and the magnitude of the attack. Observations and determinations made at the Agricultural Research and Development Station Secuieni, during 1993-2017 have demonstrated that Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. species is characterized as an abundant insect for the studied area, being present in maize, in all 25 years studied. The total number of adults collected in the light trap was of 8290 specimens, the highest catches per trap of 2818 specimens were recorded between 1993 and 1997 (first stage), followed by 1690 and 1683 specimens in stage II (1998-2002) and III (2003-2007), 1237 specimens in stage V (2013-2017), and the lowest number of 862 specimens/trap was recorded in stage IV (2008-2012). Based on the data obtained by collecting the insect by means of the light trap, the variability coefficient for the central area of Moldova was calculated and the flight curve made by the adults of the species Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. was established.