Amazed with maize: first record of the dynastid beetle Xylotrupes gideon L. on field corn
2015
Lit, I.L.Jr. | Caasi-Lit, M.T. | Abenis, K.O. | Narcedo, J.C.B. | Dacuba, R.H. | Eusebio, O.L. | Larona, A.R.
The occurrence of the dynastid beetle, Xylotrupes gideon L, a.k.a. elephant or unicorn beetle, in the corn (Zea mays L.) field is reported for the first time based on specimens collected from Laoac, Pangasinan during a series of samplings of corn-associated insects. This species is better known as a minor pest of coconut and other palms. The adult males and females were observed feeding on nodes of late vegetative and early reproductive corn plants, regardless of cultivar and whether they were conventional or Bt hybrids. There were no coconut trees in the surrounding fields in the regulated field trial site in Pangasinan. The most probable source of the beetles was the sporadic buri palms (Corypha utan Lam.). Scrutiny of literature revealed that corn is not yet included in the host range of the said species, as well as in documented insect pests of corn. The nature of damage included chewed portions of the nodes and some broken tassels and/or panicles of the inflorescences.
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