Analysis of monitoring of maize damage caused by the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) in Poland in 2006–2016

Abstract

The increasing acreage of maize crops requires continuous monitoring and the search for new solutions to control pests. Damage monitoring was carried out annually (2006–2016), which made it possible to determine changes in the intensity of occurrence from year to year, as well as its spatial differentiation in the provinces. The greatest damage caused by the feeding of the European corn borer in the analysed period occurred in the southern part of Poland, mainly in the Opolskie and Podkarpackie Voivodeships. On the other hand, the years with the highest activity of the pest was recorded in the 2006 and 2007. Damage caused by the European corn borer feeding was compared with the mean annual air temperature and mean annual precipitation. The high optimum temperature favoured faster development of the pest. In contrast, local flooding or drought in the middle of the growing season hindered maize growth, resulting in reduced activity of the pest risk.