Unusual damage to maize shanks and cobs by Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in northeastern Mexico.

摘要

Fifty plants were inspected at physiological maturation for damage by fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) on ears in each 12 commercial fields of maize near Rio Bravo, Diaz, Ordaz, and Camargo during early June 2011. This is the first time fall armyworm larvae have been observed tunneling into soft centre of the cob of maize. Apparently, late-instar fall armyworm larvae were forced to feed on those unusual sites as maize was becoming rapidly senecent.