Trichogramma wasps as a natural enemies of the European corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)

Abstract

The importance of corn (Zea mays) can be understood through its extensive implementation across the globe. It is grown on vast areas, and the number of hectares under this crop increases each year. In Serbia, corn represents the economically most important crop, and it is thus crucial to protect it from harmful insects, like the European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), which represents the most destructive pest of this crop. Except yield decrease, occurrence of this pests can cause plant break, fall off cobs, and it creates suitable conditions for the development of fungal infections. Due to all these negative effects caused by the European Corn Borer, it's important to keep this pest under control. In the last couple of years integrated crop protection, which implies the reduction of the use of pesticides which have a negative effect on the environment and human health, is becoming more and more important. The use of beneficial organisms, predators and parasitoids, with the goal of reducing the amount of harmful insects in agriculture represent one of the most important measures of integrated crop protection which can be applied. One of the most successful biological methods for the suppression of the European Corn Borer is the use of Trichogramma wasps which parasitize the larvae of this pest and therefore reduce its number.