RESEARCH ON THE FLIGHT DYNAMICS OF OSTRINIA NUBILALIS IN MAIZE CROPS UNDER CONDITIONS OF THE CENTRAL PART OF MOLDOVA, ROMANIA

Abstract

"Maize is one of the most cultivated plants species in Europe. Throughout Romania, maize was present on 2.68 million hectares in 2019. As such, special care should be taken to protect these crops against harmful organisms and especially insects. In the current context of the climate changes that become more visible from one year to another on agricultural crops and also on the pest attack intensity, it is necessary to know the evolution of the pest European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. in maize crops. For this reason, the pest was monitored under conditions of the central part of Moldavia, Romania, in order to evaluate the adult’s appearance and the flight pattern. Number of adults of O. nubilalis collected during the study period 2018-2020 totalled 1652 specimens, of which 488 specimens were registered in 2018, 729 specimens in 2019, and 437 specimens in 2020. The flight of adults began at the end of May in 2018, respectively at the beginning of June in 2019 and 2020 and continued without interruption until the end of September each year. The flight curves of O. nubilalis were monitored in the study period, the maximum peaks were recorded at different times, influenced by temperature conditions and precipitation recorded in April - August. The flight of moths has undergone changes, it was interrupted by rainfall in June and July, the flight increased in intensity during August, in mid or the end of the month, when second peaks were recorded."