Insect community associated with purple corn crop (Zea mays L.) in La Molina-Lima, Peru

Abstract

Objective: To describe the insect community associated with the purple corn crop, evaluating the incidence and population fluctuation of pest insects and recording the predatory insects present, under the environmental conditions in La Molina-Lima, Peru. Methodology: The plot had an area: of 3.114,8 m², perimeter: of 227,84 m and 100 plants were taken in each evaluation, 10 units per 4 linear meters. Per plant buds and stems, a maximum of 4 leaves, panicles and two cobs were examined. 16 evaluations were carried out in four stages, between August and November 2018. Furthermore, an additional evaluation was made in cobs during harvest. Results: Populations of Agrotis spp., Cyanopepla alonzo (Butler), Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott), Diabrotica viridula (Fabricius), Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius), Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller), Euxesta spp., Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith), Sthenaridea carmelitana (Carvalho), Tallula atramentalis (Lederer) and natural enemies were recorded. The pest populations reported by species were: Agrotis spp. (17 individuals), C. alonzo (9 individuals), D. maidis (492), D. viridula (7), D. saccharalis (2), E. lignosellus (2), Euxesta spp. (380), H. zea (24), P. maidis (234), R. maidis (293), S. frugiperda (71) S. carmelitana (360) and T. atramentalis (143). The predators found were Hemerobius spp. (Fam. Hemerobiidae, 57 individuals), Chrysoperla externa and Ceraeochrysa cincta (Fam. Chrysopidae, 9), Cycloneda sanguinea, Hippodamia convergens and Harmonia sp. (Fam. Coccinellidae, 3), Nabis punctipennis (Fam. Nabidae, 3) and Condylostylus similis (Fam. Dolichopodidae, 19).