The parasitoid and microbial control of Europen corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)

Abstract

The research examined the effects of microbial and novel insecticidal control strategies and also Trichogramma pretiosum on the European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera; Crambidae). The treatments included spinosad, from bacteria, the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum, and foliar applied Bt spray, and two combinations Beauveria bassiana plus Bt spray and Trichogramma pretiosum and Spinosad. The infestations by the European corn borer larvae on stalks of corn were very severe in all the control treatments both 2006 and 2007. The microbial treatments caused various levels of European corn borer mortality. In all the parameters there was a significant difference between the control and other treatments with a P value of <0.001. In this research, treatment with Spinosad emerged as the most effective biological agent in the control of the European corn borer. The treatments had no significant effects on the relative abundance and composition of non-target arthropods (P >0.05). The possible desirable outcomes of the project would be an increased awareness of the alternative and potentially useful control strategies available for Ostrinia nubilalis. This research is relevant in boosting underutilized control strategies and increasing stakeholder adoption of integrated pest management practices and thereby reducing the use of conventional insecticides especially for organic farmers. This is very important especially in certain countries where the communities are skeptical about consuming transgenic crops. Most farmers in Africa have their crops sold in Europe and are afraid of embracing transgenic crops due to fear of losing markets in Europe.