Serpil KORNOSOR and Erdal SERTKAYA
University of Cukurova, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, 01330 Adana-TURKEY
Maize production area in Turkey has been increased since 1982. Due to increasing maize culture the lepidopterous pests gained important pest status. Among them, Sesamia nonagrioides Lef., Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn., Agrotis ipsilon Dennis & Shiffer Spodoptera exigua Hbn., Helicoverpa armigera Hbn., Acantholeucania loreyi Dup., Pseudoleatia unipuncta Haw. were determined as most important pests on maize in the Southeast Mediterranean Region of Turkey.
This study was conducted on first and second crop maize in the Çukurova region between 1994-1998. Maize flied were surveyed once a week from seedling period to harvesting time in different locations and 100 plants were randomly examined in each field. Different stage of lepidopterous pests were collected and cultured at 25±1 °C, 65±10% relative humidity, 16h light daily till the adult stage. Collected eggs, larvae, pupae were put into glass vials and plastic cages respectively. All cultures were checked daily and parasitized and non parasitized eggs, larvae and pupae were recorded.
Microplitis tuberculifer, M. rufiventris, Meteorus ictericus, Sinophorus xanthostomus, Chelonus obscurator and Hyposoter deidymator were determined as a larvae parasitoids of S. exiqua. Parasitization rate was higher on first crop than second crop maize. Meteorus oculatus, M. ictericus and Cotesia ruficrus were found as a larvae parasitoids of A. loreyi and P. unipuncta. Platytelenomus busseolae, and Trichogramma evanescens as egg parasites, Habrobracon hebetor, and C. ruficrus as larvae parasitoids while Ichneumon sarcitorius, Pimpla spuria, Barichneumon sp. were found pupae parasitoids of S. nonagrioides. Larvae and pupae parasitoids of S. nonagrioides were first record in the Southeast Mediterranean region of Turkey. P. busseolae and T. evanescens were very abundant in this region, however T. evanescens is an egg parasitoid of Ostrinia nubilalis, and of S. nonagrioides in this region. In addition Meteorus rubens was found as larva parasitoid of A. ipsilon on first crop maize.
On the other hand, 17 different predator species were also recorded which might have an important role in suppression of the population of the pests
Key words: Maize, lepidopterous pests, natural enemies