Abstract
Sweet corn is infested by different pests which are almost constantly present in the planted fields and pest outbreak could cause serious losses. In this regard, identification of the species composition of pests and the critical moment of their control are quite important in growing the crop.
Studies for identifying the species composition of pests in sweet corn fields were carried out in the period 2011-2013 on the training and experimental site of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv. Standard entomological methods were used: route observations, visual observations on labelled plants arranged in a checkerboard pattern over the entire planted area, etc.
As a result of the performed studies, the species composition of harmful entomofauna was identified and its development during vegetation was followed. Immediately after sowing until the stage of 3-6th leaf soil-borne pests of the following families were identified: Elateridae, Tenebrionidae, Melolonthidae and Noctuidae, as well as corn weevil (Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyll.) There were damages on the leaves caused by adult forms of the cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopa L.). Larvae of the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hb.) and the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hb.) were isolated at the stage of tassel and silk development. Referring to omnivorous pests, single damages caused by locusts and crickets were established.
The most serious damages in the sweet corn fields were caused by pests attacking the generative plant parts – the cotton bollworm and European corn borer.
Keywords: sweet corn, pests, damage