Plant Preferences of Z-Pheromone Race Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Based on Leaf Tissue Consumption Rates

Abstract European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), has been present in the United States for over 100 yr and documented on >200 plant species, including economically valuable crops. The reported preferred host of O. nubilalis is corn, Zea mays L. (Cyperales: Poaceae), although it is considered to be a generalist agricultural pest. Life cycles of the two pheromone races, E and Z, align with the seasonality of different agricultural plants. Since the introduction of Bt corn in 1996, overall O. nubilalis presence has declined and suggests that alternative crop plants might not be suitable hosts. We investigated plant vegetation preference of third-instar Z-race O. nubilalis for leaf disks of corn and a variety of other crops using 48 h no-choice and choice tests. Z-race larvae gained more mass on V6 non-Bt field corn leaf disks in comparison to other plant species options. Additionally, a preference for non-Bt field corn leaf disks was observed in most comparisons. Higher consumption of cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae), leaf disks as compared to non-Bt field corn leaf disks suggested an ability to feed on excised leaf tissues of a plant species that does not induce defenses to herbivory.

Download Full-text

DEVELOPMENTAL ADAPTATION OF THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER (OSTRINIA NUBILALIS HÜBNER) IN ALBERTA

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent119371-4 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 119 (4) ◽

pp. 371-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Dennis A. Lee ◽

John R. Spence

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

The United States ◽

Life Stages ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Corn Borers ◽

Developmental Thresholds ◽

Temperature Thresholds ◽

Higher Temperature

AbstractTemperature effects on development were studied for two Alberta populations of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), from the South Saskatchewan River valley and the surrounding plains. Lower developmental thresholds for all life stages of both Alberta populations were determined by linear regression. Thresholds for the egg stage were significantly less for plains borers (9.5°C) than for valley borers (10.8°C), and about 2°C lower than for corn borers from the United States. Thresholds in Alberta populations for the 4th (15.3°C) and 5th (14.0°C, plains) instars, and for post-diapause pupation (12.8°C), were much higher than in populations from the United States. Higher temperature thresholds delay development in Alberta populations, thus reducing midsummer pupation. Valley populations developed significantly faster than plains populations during egg development, during the prepupal period of the 5th instar, and during post-diapause pupation. These results explain why valley populations have a partial second generation in some years.

Download Full-text

THE EFFECTS OF FEEDING SITE ON THE INTERACTION OF THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER, OSTRINIA NUBILALIS, AND ITS HOST, THE FIELD CORN, ZEA MAYS1

Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata ◽

10.1111/j.1570-7458.1964.tb02433.x ◽

1964 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 144-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

H. C. CHIANG

Keyword(s):

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Feeding Site ◽

Field Corn

Download Full-text

Some Factors Influencing the Occurrence and Size of the Midsummer Flight of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in Southwestern Ontario

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent91798-12 ◽

1959 ◽

Vol 91 (12) ◽

pp. 798-806 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J. A. Mutchmor

Keyword(s):

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Economic Value ◽

Light Trap ◽

The United States ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Collection Data ◽

History Of ◽

Lepidoptera Pyralidae ◽

Seasonal History

In southwestern Ontario the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.), produces two flights annually. The first flight, beginning in June, consists of moths from larvae that have overwintered. The midsummer, or second, flight begins late in July or early in August, and its moths are the progeny of the first flight. Until about 20 years ago the borer produced only one annual flight and was thought to be univoltine. The change in the seasonal history of the borer in Ontario was described by Wressell (1953) and Miller (1956). The literature describing similar changes in parts of the United States has been reviewed by Lees (1955) and Everett et al. (1958). Wressell (1953) summarized light trap collection data of moth flights in the Chatham, Ontario, area for the years 1932 to 1951. The summary includes the percentage of the moths that were from the midsummer flight, and it is evident that the size of this flight varies greatly from year to year. Aside from its intrinsic interest, it would be of some economic value to know what governs the size of the midsummer flight. This is a report of studies undertaken to examine the case, and to relate the findings to the larger problem of why the borer now produces a second flight where formerly it produced only one.

Download Full-text

AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION IN SELECTED CORN GERMPLASM CLASSIFIED FOR RESISTANCE TO EUROPEAN CORN BORER1 (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

Journal of Entomological Science ◽

10.18474/0749-8004-23.3.240 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 240-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

W. W. McMillian ◽

N. W. Widstrom ◽

Dean Barry ◽

E. B. Lillehoj

Keyword(s):

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Second Generation ◽

Zea Mays L ◽

The United States ◽

Aflatoxin Contamination ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Potential Control ◽

Dent Corn ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Insect damage and associated alfatoxin formation are serious threats to corn, Zea mays L., production in some areas of the United States. Plant resistance has been suggested as a potential control. In this study, dent corn genotypes varying in resistance to second-generation European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), damage were evaluated at two locations for insect tunneling and alfatoxin formation in kernels of preharvest ears. To insure uniform exposure, plants were inoculated with Aspergillus flavus (Link) spores applied to the ear node and silk and were infested with ECB eggs applied to either the ear node or ear tip. Corn germplasm classified as resistant to second-generation ECB damage sustained significantly less ear damage than susceptible genotypes. Corn resistant to ECB also sustained less alfatoxin formation (29 and 295 ng g−1) than susceptible germplasm (592 and 1129 ng g−1). Ear tip infestation resulted in more aflatoxin formation (523 ng g−1) than ear node infestation (372 ng g−1). Overall, insect damaged was significantly higher at Tifton, GA, (5.3 cm tunneling/ear) than at Columbia, MO. (4.2 cm tunneling/ear).

Download Full-text