Parasitoid inventarisation of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner, 1796) and options for its biological control in Slovenia

European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) (ECB) is an important maize pest in central and northern Europe. Presently it is controlled by insecticides or biological agents such as Trichogramma brassicae in several European countries, excluding Slovenia, where the pest’s pressure is highly variable and no appropriate mechanization is available. Lessening the dependence on chemical pesticides is an integral part of the European Union’s agenda for agriculture. Mass release of Trichogramma spp. could be seen as a promising alternative for ECB control in countries with a highly fluctuating ECB pressure and no mechanization for insecticide applications. However, no records of naturally occurring hymenopteran parasitoids of ECB exist in Slovenia. To address this important under-researched topic and provide the expert basis for potential introduction of ECB egg parasitoids in Slovene maize production, a systematic inventarisation programme of ECB parasitoids was launched in 2010. Additionally, ECB flight was monitored in 2011 and 2012 at two locations in Slovenia: Jablje and Rakičan. In both locations two ECB generations were observed. ECB was fist observed at the end of May in Rakičan. During the five years of the systematic survey we discovered two ECB parasitoid species. ECB egg masses were parasitized by Trichogramma brassicae, whereas ECB pupae were parasitized by Tycherus nigridens, with 6 or 7 % parasitation rate, respectively. T. nigridens represents a new taxon report for Slovenia. We conclude that there is a strong need for undertaking systematic surveys of natural enemies of agricultural pests.

Download Full-text

Significance of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübn.) in maize production

Acta Agronomica Hungarica ◽

10.1556/aagr.50.2002.4.8 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 447-461 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

C Szőke ◽

Z. Zsubori ◽

I Pók ◽

F. Rácz ◽

O. Illés ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Point Of View ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Maize Production ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Economic Point ◽

Direct Damage ◽

Important Pest

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübn.), which is to be found almost universally in Europe and America, is an extremely important pest from the economic point of view. Losses caused by the pest range from 250-1000 kg/ha depending on the degree of infestation, the year and the yield averages. This fact justifies protection measures in Hungary on the whole of the seed production and sweetcorn fields and on 40% of the commercial maize sowing area. In addition to the direct damage, indirect losses are also considerable, since the injuries caused by the pest facilitate infection by Fusarium species. For the above reasons it is worth reviewing the habits of this pest, the extent of the economic loss resulting from the damage, and ways of controlling it.

Download Full-text

Thermosensibilité des lignées germinales de Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera). Conséquences sur l'efficacité du parasitoïde

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z97-059 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 75 (3) ◽

pp. 484-489 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

J. Chihrane ◽

G. Laugé

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Ovarian Function ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Seminal Vesicles ◽

Trichogramma Brassicae ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Trichogramma Brassicae Bezdenko

Trichogramma brassicae, a parasitoid used in the biological control of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, becomes less effective if certain thermal conditions prevail at the time of its release. A laboratory study demonstrated that the generation liberated in the field had reduced fecundity and that the proportion of females was lower in the following generation. These results prompted us to examine the germ lines of the parasitoid. Exposure to a temperature of 35 °C at the white nymph stage does not affect ovarian function, but exposure to 44 °C does: the number of mature ovocytes at emergence is lower than that observed in controls; certain ovaries are abnormal or remain juvenile. At the time of emergence, the seminal vesicles of male controls contain large numbers of typical sperm and a few atypical sperm, the latter becoming more numerous in males exposed to 35 °C. After exposure to 44 °C, vesicles contain only a few sperm or are completely empty. Since T. brassicae is an arrhenotokous parthenogenetic species (unfertilized eggs become males), these observations explain the reduced number of females in the second generation.[Journal translation]

Download Full-text

Molecular identification of Trichogramma egg parasitoids of Ostrinia nubilalis in northeastern Serbia

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs171103002i ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 425-432 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aleksandar Ivezic ◽

Paul Rugman-Jones ◽

Richard Stouthamer ◽

Aleksandra Ignjatovic-Cupina

Keyword(s):

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Preliminary Test ◽

Egg Parasitoid ◽

Egg Parasitoids ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Trichogramma Brassicae ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Trichogramma Species ◽

Preliminary Identification

The European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner, 1796) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a major pest of corn (Zea mays Linnaeus, 1753) in Serbia. Regular monitoring of O. nubilalis in the region of Kikinda (province of Vojvodina, Serbia) demonstrated a high percentage of parasitized eggs of this pest. Preliminary identification of the egg parasitoids based on morphological traits revealed that they belong to the genus Trichogramma Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae). The objective of this study was to identify the autochthonous Trichogramma species present in the region of Kikinda by using sequences of ribosomal DNA. Specimens of Trichogramma were reared from parasitized eggs of O. nubilalis collected at different localities in the region of Kikinda. The ITS2 gene was sequenced and subjected to BLAST searches of GenBank NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information). The majority of collected specimens were identified as Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko, 1968, and a single specimen as T. evanescens Westwood, 1833. Intraspecific variation of T. brassicae was assessed by amplifying the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Wasps were also tested for the presence of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia Hertig, 1936 using Wolbachia-specific 16S and wsp primers as a preliminary test for evidence of thelytoky. Understanding of the diversity and biology of autochthonous Trichogramma species is a key step in the potential commercial implementation of these egg parasitoid wasps in the protection of corn fields in Serbia.

Download Full-text

Research on the Relationship Between the Degree of European Corn Borer (Ostrinia Nubilalis Hbn.) Attack and Maize Fusariosis (Fusarium spp.) at ARDS Turda

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Agriculture ◽

10.15835/buasvmcn-agr:12659 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

pp. 57

Author(s):

Ana Maria VĂLEAN ◽

Felicia MUREŞANU ◽

Adina TĂRĂU ◽

Loredana SUCIU ◽

Laura SOPTEREAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Point Of View ◽

Fusarium Spp ◽

Maize Production ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Economic Point ◽

Growing Period ◽

Important Pest

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübn.), which is found almost universally in Europe and America, is an extremely important pest from economic point of view (Szőke et al., 2005). European corn borer larvae cause physical injuries to stalks and ears, and promote infections with Fusarium, by carrying the fungus spores from the plant surface to the surfaces of damaged kernels or to the interior of stalks, where infection occurs (Czembor, 2015). On account of the fact that between Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. and Fusarium spp. there is a strong connection, and their presence lead to lower maize production, it’s purposed is reducing the corn borer attack, but also the occurrence of maize fusariosis, by applying treatments to the vegetation. The research was carried out at ARDS Turda, in the period 2014-2015 as a bifactorial experience, in which were performed two treatments on growing period, with insecticides, using the products: Avaunt 250 ml/ha (s.a. indoxacarb), Coragen 250 ml/ha (s.a. chlorantraniliprol), Proteus 400 ml/ha (s.a. tiacloprid + deltametrin), Calypso 150 ml/ha (s.a. tiacloprid) and Confidor 400 ml/ha (s.a. imidacloprid + deltametrin), and the biological material was used Turda 165 hybrid. Amid the climatic conditions in the two experimental years (2014-2015), regarding the frecquency attack of the Ostrinia nubilalis, 2015 proved to be a very favorable year for this pest, and by applying treatments to the vegetation, Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. and Fusarium spp. attack has been reduced very significant. In order to combat the european corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) chemically, are recommended products based on: chlorantraniliprol and tiacloprid+deltametrin.

Download Full-text

Integration of Trichogramma ostriniae releases and habitat modification for suppression of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) in bell peppers

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s174217050800238x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 19-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kathleen Russell ◽

Ric Bessin

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Ostrinia Nubilalis ◽

European Corn Borer ◽

Block Design ◽

Habitat Modification ◽

Corn Borer ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Bell Peppers ◽

Nectar Source

AbstractA two-year field study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Trichogramma ostriniae Pang et Chen (T.o.) releases in combination with habitat modification, to enhance biological control of European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner, the key pest of bell peppers in Kentucky. A randomized block design with a split-plot treatment arrangement was used in both years. Buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculetum Moench, was inter-planted as a nectar source for the wasps and as an attractant for ECB natural enemies. Sentinel ECB egg masses were placed in each subplot to monitor establishment and dispersal of T. ostriniae within and between plots. Fruit were harvested at maturity, graded according to USDA standards, inspected for insect damage, and dissected to confirm ECB presence when evidence of entry was suspected, to determine percentage of infested fruits. Percent ECB infested fruit was reduced in plots with wasp releases and in plots with buckwheat inter-planted. The interaction of habitat modification and wasp releases significantly reduced pepper damage as a result of the synergy between tactics. Percentage of T. ostriniae parasitized sentinel eggs was significantly higher in wasp release plots compared to non-release plots. T. ostriniae releases used in conjunction with habitat modification for ECB control in bell peppers appears to be a promising alternative to traditional insecticide-based strategies for small-acreage and organic farms. This study displays an example system utilizing conservation biological control at a landscape level for pest suppression.

Download Full-text