The Abundance and Dynamics of Lepidoptera Pests from Maize, Soybean, Sugar Beet Crops, In Conditions Of Agricultural Research And Development Station Turda

Abstract

This paper presents experimental data conducted for this purpose, during 2009 – 2010 in ARDS Turda. Species of Lepidoptera present in field crops, studied in ARDS Turda are: Agrotis segetum (Den. & Schiff.), Autographa gamma L., Amathes c-nigrum L., Mamestra brassicae L., Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn., Plutella xylostella L.. 
 The research were performed at ARDS Turda, during 2009 - 2010 in crops: maize, sugar beet and soybean; were used F1 traps type) with synthetic sex pheromones of the Romanian Institute of Chemistry Cluj - Napoca. Traps were placed in 3 repetitions, at the 50 m distance between, during June-September. The adhesive used was based on polyisobutylene, produced by the same institute. Pheromones baits and sticky plates were changed at 10 days, when were recorded the number of captured Lepidoptera. To compare data obtained, was performed percentage distribution of species of Lepidoptera, and observations on the abundance of Lepidoptera pests, highlighting the appeal and sex pheromones specific for the most common Lepidoptera.
 At ARDS Turda, in maize, sugar beet and soybean, under normal climate of the years 2009- 2010, were registered, in sex pheromones traps, more than 1.400 adults of the mentioned Lepidoptera species. These species showed a well defined allocation percentage as follows: Ostrina nubilalis represented a very significant percentage between 39.0 - 68.0% of the total of Lepidoptera pests, Autographa gamma 12,0-25,0%, Amathes c-nigrum 14,0-16,0% and other species (Mamestra brassicae, Plutella Xylostella, Agrotis segetum) between 2,0-11,0%.
 The results have resulted in flight curves of the most common Lepidoptera pest crops, which shows the evolution of species according to specific climatic conditions, thus knowing the best time for applying treatments.