Hibernation and the adult population development of Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre 1827 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the corn plant in Çanakkale province.

Hibernation and the adult population development of Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre 1827 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the corn plant in Çanakkale provinceThe study was conducted with the purpose of determining the hibernation and the population development of Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre 1827 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is a pest in corn fields of Çanakkale in 2010 -2012 years.In the winter months, the hibernation of the pest were investigated the maize stalks remaining in the fields and collected hibernating larvae were stored outdoors in the cages.In February the larvae was recorded daily formed pupae and later continued the adult flight of the overwintering generation.The population development of the pest adults was determined by pheromone traps in the different corn fields.It is determined that the pest hibernates in the corn stalks in field at different larval stages.It is observed that mortality of larvae increases with low temperatures (0 o C) of winter months and larvae pupate after mid-March with 13-14 o C daily mean temperature.Pupation period lasted until the end of May with relation to climate.First adults of the hibernating generation started to fly after mid-April.There was three flight periods throughout the season at May, July and the end of August.It is observed that the population density of the pest increases at the end of the season and it causes more damage on second crop corn, which is for silage.