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PHENOLOGY OF THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER (OSTRINIA NUBILALIS) IN ALBERTA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Dennis A. Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E3
John R. Spence
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E3

Abstract

Differences in phenology were observed between two populations of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.) in Alberta. In the South Saskatchewan River valley, borers pupated and emerged 3–6 days earlier than on the plains. This was not simply a function of different microclimates because median pupation occurred at 331 degree-days (DD) for plains populations and at 490 DD for valley populations. First-generation flight extended from the last week in June until the 1st week in August. Flight peaks in 1983 occurred on 8 July in the valley and on 14 July on the plains. Flight was delayed in 1984 by cold nightly temperatures. In 1983 valley populations had a partial second generation, with a flight peak in late August. Mean pupal mass was significantly less for plains populations than valley populations. Transplant experiments demonstrated that these differences reflected mainly environmental influences. During spring 1984, mean larval mass in the two populations did not differ until early June, when both mean wet and dry mass of valley larvae increased significantly but those of plains larvae did not change. This variability of phenotypes contributes to the colonizing ability of the European corn borer.

Résumé

Des différences phénologiques ont été observées entre deux populations d’Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.) en Alberta. Dans la vallée de la Saskatchewan du sud, les pyrales se sont empupées et ont émergé 3–6 jours plus tôt que dans les plaines. Cette différence n’est pas simplement attribuable à des différences microclimatiques puisque la pupaison médiane s’est produite à 331 degrés-jours (DJ) pour les populations des plaines comparé à 490 DJ pour les populations de la vallée. Le vol de première génération s’étendait de la dernière semaine de juin à la lière semaine d’août. Les pics de vol en 1983 se sont produits le 8 juillet dans la vallée et le 14 juillet dans les plaines. En 1984, le vol fut retardé par des températures nocturnes froides. En 1983 les populations de la vallée ont montré une seconde génération partielle avec un pic de vol à la fin d’août. Le poids moyen des pupes des populations des plaines était significativement inférieur à celui des pupes de la vallée. Des tests de transfert ont permis de montrer que ces différences étaient principalement dues à des influences du milieu. Au printemps 1984, le poids moyen des larves ne différait pas entre les deux populations jusqu’au début juin alors que les poids frais et sec des larves de la vallée continué d’augmenter significativement, pendant que ceux des larves des plaines restaient inchangés. Ces variations phénotypiques contribuent au pouvoir colonisateur de la pyrale du maïs.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1986

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