Research on the attack produced by Ostrinia nubilalis HBN (European corn borer) larvae to some agricultural crops in the conditions of central Moldova

Abstract

Ostrinia nubilals Hbn. larvae it attacks many species of plants belonging to very different families. Maize is recognized as the preferred host, but the larvae attack hemp, sorghum, millet, hops, peppers or weeds (Echinochloa crus galli, Artemisia vulgaris). In maize crops the larvae are identified on different parts of the plant (stem, cobs, inflorescence) where it favors the installation of pathogens, weaken the resistance of the plant being prone to break or depreciate the grains. At hemp, the larvae feed on the stem tissues, including the support system and the conducting vessels. The effect of the attack produced by larvae is materialized by young plants stagnation in vegetation and the decrease of production capacity in more mature plants. Sorghum shows tolerance to larval attack especially in the booting phenophase, tolerance decreasing to flowering, which is higher than that found in maize. This paper presents the results obtained on the attack of Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn produced at maize, hemp and sorghum in the period 2019-2021. At the analyzed crops, the larvae produced attacks between 3.65% (sorghum) and 32.63% (maize). The maize crops were the most affected by the larval attack, registering on average an attack of 32.63%. In hemp, the larval attack was on average between 2% and 21%. At sorghum crops it was found that the larval attack was reduced to sporadic, between 2% and 9%.