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Occurrence of Z- and E-strain Ostrinia nubilalis in Sweden shortly after first detection of the Z-strain

Anderbrant, Olle LU ; Marques, Joana F. LU ; Aldén, Louise LU and Svensson, Glenn P. LU (2023) In Journal of Applied Entomology
Abstract

Introduction: The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major pest insect in maize. New cultivars and climate change have allowed range expansion of the crop northwards in Europe, and a similar range expansion of associated pests has been predicted. ECB exists as two distinct pheromone strains using different blends of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate for sexual communication; in addition, the Z-strain feeds almost exclusively on maize. In Sweden, the maize cropping area has increased tenfold during the last two decades, increasing the potential for spread of the Z-strain, which was recorded for the first time in the country in 2010. Aim of the study/methods: In... (More)

Introduction: The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major pest insect in maize. New cultivars and climate change have allowed range expansion of the crop northwards in Europe, and a similar range expansion of associated pests has been predicted. ECB exists as two distinct pheromone strains using different blends of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate for sexual communication; in addition, the Z-strain feeds almost exclusively on maize. In Sweden, the maize cropping area has increased tenfold during the last two decades, increasing the potential for spread of the Z-strain, which was recorded for the first time in the country in 2010. Aim of the study/methods: In this study, we performed trapping experiments with strain-specific lures in maize fields in southern Sweden during 2013–2022 to monitor the presence and relative abundance of the two ECB strains and evaluate the potential increase of the Z-strain. Trapping was also performed at least 5 km away from maize fields. Molecular markers were used to verify the strain identity of trapped males and larvae that fed on maize. Results: Catch data revealed that both pheromone strains were present in the major maize cultivation areas of Sweden, as predicted by recent modelling studies. Our data indicate that the flight period of ECB in southern Sweden lasts from the middle of June to late August, with peak flight in July. Catches of both strains were low at all trapping sites and throughout the study period and decreased further during the years following the dry summer of 2018. No Z-strain males were trapped far away from maize fields. Conclusion: Based on our results, and the low levels of ECB-related damage observed in local maize fields, the Z-strain is currently not imposing a threat to Swedish maize growers.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
Dichrorampha petiverella, distribution, European corn borer, monitoring, pheromone trap, Zea mays
in
Journal of Applied Entomology
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85179302433
ISSN
0931-2048
DOI
10.1111/jen.13218
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
6cae0901-af2d-4ef5-8521-6bddcf9e289d
date added to LUP
2024-01-11 12:58:07
date last changed
2024-01-17 12:10:40
@article{6cae0901-af2d-4ef5-8521-6bddcf9e289d,
  abstract     = {{<p>Introduction: The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major pest insect in maize. New cultivars and climate change have allowed range expansion of the crop northwards in Europe, and a similar range expansion of associated pests has been predicted. ECB exists as two distinct pheromone strains using different blends of (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate for sexual communication; in addition, the Z-strain feeds almost exclusively on maize. In Sweden, the maize cropping area has increased tenfold during the last two decades, increasing the potential for spread of the Z-strain, which was recorded for the first time in the country in 2010. Aim of the study/methods: In this study, we performed trapping experiments with strain-specific lures in maize fields in southern Sweden during 2013–2022 to monitor the presence and relative abundance of the two ECB strains and evaluate the potential increase of the Z-strain. Trapping was also performed at least 5 km away from maize fields. Molecular markers were used to verify the strain identity of trapped males and larvae that fed on maize. Results: Catch data revealed that both pheromone strains were present in the major maize cultivation areas of Sweden, as predicted by recent modelling studies. Our data indicate that the flight period of ECB in southern Sweden lasts from the middle of June to late August, with peak flight in July. Catches of both strains were low at all trapping sites and throughout the study period and decreased further during the years following the dry summer of 2018. No Z-strain males were trapped far away from maize fields. Conclusion: Based on our results, and the low levels of ECB-related damage observed in local maize fields, the Z-strain is currently not imposing a threat to Swedish maize growers.</p>}},
  author       = {{Anderbrant, Olle and Marques, Joana F. and Aldén, Louise and Svensson, Glenn P.}},
  issn         = {{0931-2048}},
  keywords     = {{Dichrorampha petiverella; distribution; European corn borer; monitoring; pheromone trap; Zea mays}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Journal of Applied Entomology}},
  title        = {{Occurrence of Z- and E-strain Ostrinia nubilalis in Sweden shortly after first detection of the Z-strain}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jen.13218}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/jen.13218}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}