Abstract
The results of this study indicate that sprays of a sucrose or molasses solution on corn plants can alter the normal pattern of distribution of certain membres of the insect community of the plants. The following facts were shown: (1) The sprays increased the Chrysopid population which reduced the number of corn borer larvae before they entered the stalk. This effect was lost if the corn leaf aphid population in the field was high. (2) The sprays increased the pienic beetle population. This effect was lost when the beetle population in the field was generally high. A high beetle population, whether as a natural condition or induced by sprays, was highly correlated with a low larva/tunnel ratio, suggesting that the beetles reduced the number of corn borer larvae after they entered the stalk.
Résumé
Des pulvérisations de sucrose ou de mélasses sur le maïs peuvent modifier la distribution de certains membres de la communauté d'insectes présents sur les plantes.
On a ainsi montré que ces pulvérisations augmentent les populations de Chrysopes qui réduisent le nombre de chenilles de la pyrale avant leur pénétration dans les tiges. Cet effet ne se produit pas si les populations de pucerons du maïs sont importantes. Les pulvérisations accroissent les populations deGlischrochilus quadrisignatus, sauf lorsque ces populations sont généralement élevées. Une population élevée de ce Coléoptère, soit à cause des conditions naturelles soit à la suite des pulvérisations, est en corrélation avec un faible taux de larves par galerie, ce qui suggère que ces prédateurs diminuent le nombre de larves de pyrale après leur pénétration dans les tiges.
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Paper No. 8054, Scientific Journal Series, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul. The work was partially supported by USDA grant 12-14-100-8039 (33). Courtesy of Dr.T. A. Brindley of the Corn Borer Laboratory, USDA, Ankeny, lowa in providing corn borer eggs used for laboratory tests in 1967 was appreciated.
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Carlson, R.E., Chiang, H.C. Reduction of anOstrinia nubilalis population by predatory insects attracted by sucrose sprays. Entomophaga 18, 205–211 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372030
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372030