Pest monitoring begins in the initial phase of crops

Time to plant the second crop in the fields and also to monitor the different pests that can affect the production system. At this time, corn, sorghum and millet are options for grain, silage and seed producers.

According to Embrapa Milho and Sorgo researcher Paulo Afonso Viana, the increase in the insect population, especially caterpillars, is due to the intensive use of crops, associated with the favorable climate. “Initially, crops are attacked by caterpillars that damage the base of the plant stem. Later, aerial pests occur, which attack the leaves, stalks and ears,” he says.

One of the main species of insect pests in the initial phase of corn, sorghum and millet crops is the elastic caterpillar (Elasmopalpus lignosellus). This pest causes serious damage to these crops and several others in the grass and legume families, especially when a dry period occurs shortly after the plants emerge.

Other pests that also deserve to be highlighted, due to the economic importance of the damage they can cause, are the pinworm larva (Diabrotica speciosa), for corn; the wireworm (Conoderus spp., Melanotus spp), for corn, sorghum and millet; the choirs (Diloboderus abderus, Eutheola humilis, Dyscinetus dubius, Stenocrates sp, Liogenys, sp.) and green belly bugs(Dichelops furcatus e D. melacanthus), for corn.

To carry out more effective control and avoid economic damage, the producer must think about the pest complex of the production system as a whole and monitor the pest from the beginning, in different crops. “To do this, it is necessary to know the history of the area to be cultivated, identifying the main phytosanitary problems presented over recent years”, explains the researcher.

The second step is to monitor the pest population in the field and learn about its main biological characteristics. “It is important to highlight that incorrect identification of the insect can lead to unsuccessful control measures”, says Viana.

other pests

There are other initial pests that occur sporadically that can also cause damage. The main ones are the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), attacking the base of the plant's stem; the screwworm (Agrotis epsilon), sectioning the culm; the thrips (Frankliniela williamsi), scraping the leaf blade; and subterranean termites of the genera Proconitermes eSyntermes, attacking the roots. Under certain conditions, these species may require control measures before reaching high population levels.

To find out more information about the main pests that attack crops, click on the links:

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