Questions about detasseling as a control technique against the Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee) Pyralidae Lepidoptera)
1992
Velasco, L.R.I. (Philippines Univ., Los Banos, College, Laguna (Philippines). Dept. of Entomology)
A review of previous studies on detasseling as a control technique for the corn borer indicated that the technique does not always translate to higher yields. The following are possible reasons. The effect of detasseling is restricted to only a fraction of the population infesting corn late in the growth stage of the plant and these are larvae of egg masses deposited about a week or two before detasseling and those larvae that happen to be on the tassel. Furthermore, the majority of the larvae found on the tassel (the individuals that are eliminated by detasseling) usually bore the stalk above the ear and these borings have only minimal effects on yield. It is suggested that the technique should be further evaluated more so in the light of recent findings elsewhere that pollens are supplementary food items for several predators of the corn borer.
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