Movement of the Different Larval Stages of Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), on Conventional Corn Hybrid under Field Caged Conditions

Authors

• Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, University of the Philippines Los BanosFollow
• Mark Bryan A. Lontoc, Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines; AgTrX, Inc., Brgy. Dila, Bay, Laguna, Philippines
• Victor V. Alpuerto, Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines (‡former address of VV Alpuerto)
• Abigail P. de Leon, Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines; 3Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
• Jenifer Bigkas-Naungayan, Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
• John David C. Cortez, Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
• Edwin A. Benigno, Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines; New Era University, College of Agriculture, Pinugay, Baras, Rizal, Philippines

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Abstract

Larval dispersal is crucial in pest population establishment in crop fields. The movement of Ostrinia furnacalis (ACB) larvae within corn plots was observed to determine which factors affect larval dispersal in the field. Conventional corn plots (3 rows, 0.70 m apart x 9 plants, 0.20 m apart) were artificially infested with different combinations of larval age and pest density. The distributions of larvae were recorded through destructive sampling at 4, 8, 12, and 16 days after infestation (DAI). The behavior of ACB from the time the hatching larvae break open the egg mass shell to ballooning to start actual movement within and between plants was also observed. Infestation with blackhead stage egg masses resulted to a more widespread distribution than with older larvae. Distance travelled (p < .001), infestation density (p < .05), and time elapsed after infestation (p < .05) were correlated with larval recovery on older larvae (neonates and second instars). Older larvae tend to concentrate at the site of infestation and in adjacent plants within the infested row. Plant-to-plant movement of older instars happens more within than across plant rows. Based on distribution patterns and larval recovery trends, there seems to be a trade-off between larval mobility and survivability as larvae mature. The number of larvae recovered decreases with time (DAI) and distance from the release point. The propensity to disperse changes depending on the initial density and age of larvae. These findings suggest that mechanisms of dispersal change with larval stages. Further exploration and documentation of such interactions can help understand the ecology of the immature stages of the ACB and its possible applications to IRM interventions like refuge design and management, allowing continuous effectiveness of the Bt corn technology.

Recommended Citation

Caasi-Lit, Merdelyn T.; Lontoc, Mark Bryan A.; Alpuerto, Victor V.; de Leon, Abigail P.; Bigkas-Naungayan, Jenifer; Cortez, John David C.; and Benigno, Edwin A. (2025) "Movement of the Different Larval Stages of Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), on Conventional Corn Hybrid under Field Caged Conditions," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 108: No. 5, Article 9.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol108/iss5/9