European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) Bioecology in Eastern Romania

Abstract

Between 2020 and 2021, we conducted research in eastern Romania to monitor the bioecology of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.), an important pest of corn. The bioecology research established the pest stage duration (egg, larva, pupa, and moth), the flight curve, and the flight peak. The bioecological study occurred in the experimental corn field and a field cage. According to our findings, the insect has one generation per year. The European corn borer hibernates as a mature larva in corn residues and continues developing in the spring, when the weather warms. It pupates from May to July over 37 days. Analyzing the data recorded during the winters of 2020 and 2021, we observed that the warming trend favored the high survival of hibernating larvae (60.7%). Due to the large number of mature larvae that had favorable conditions during the winter, there is an intense flight, starting in June and ending in September. When the first moth was caught in the light trap, the ∑(tn-10) °C (sum of degree days) was 245.6 °C. In 2020, the flight was recorded for 94 days. In 2021, the European corn borer flight lasted 104 days. The initial egg masses were detected when the total of ∑(tn-10) °C reached 351.5 °C. Moths laid the eggs for 25 days, mostly during peak flight in late June and early July. The first larvae hatched when ∑(tn-10) °C totaled 438.4 °C, and stages III–V were recorded in the harvested crop. Understanding the bioecology of the European corn borer can offer valuable insights into managing population levels and identifying optimal timing for addressing infestations in corn crops.

Comparative Analysis of Mechanical In-Field Corn Residue Shredding Methods: Evaluating Particle Size Distribution and Rating of Structural Integrity of Corn Stalk Segments

“…The European Corn Borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner, 1796), is recognized as one of the most important insect pests affecting corn. The ECB poses a threat to large agricultural areas worldwide and climate change is expected to lead to increased pest pressure [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. The primary damage is caused by its larvae feeding inside the corn stalks and ears, which affects the transportation of water, nutrients, and assimilates.…”