University of Guilan Plant Pest Research 2538-6123 14 3 2024 11 21 Seasonal dynamics and sequential sampling plan of the pink stem borer Sesamia cretica (Lep.: Noctuidae) in corn fields of Khuzestan Seasonal dynamics and sequential sampling plan of the pink stem borer Sesamia cretica (Lep.: Noctuidae) in corn fields of Khuzestan 1 13 8128 10.22124/iprj.2024.28312.1593 FA Afrooz Farsi Plant Protection Research Department, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran Roya Arbabtafti Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2024 08 28 Sesamia cretica Lederer is one of the most important pests of corn and sugarcane crops in Iran. To study the population fluctuations, spatial distribution, and sequential sampling plan of this pest, sampling was done weekly in maize fields of Andimeshk and Shush regions, during 2022 and 2023. To estimate the population of pest immature stages, the whole plant of maize was selected as the sample unit. The results indicated that this pest produced four generations annually on maize, with an average population of 1.56±0.285 and 0.38±0.134 per plant in the first year, and 0.52±0.102 and 0.65±0.246 per plant in the second year, observed in Andimeshk and Shush, respectively. The spatial distribution of S. cretica was determined by two regression methods, Taylor’s power law and Iowa’s models. Both methods showed that the distribution pattern of pest in maize fields across both regions was aggregated throughout the two years of sampling. To enhance the description of the data by Taylor's power law, parameters of this method were used to develop sequential sampling plan using Green’s method at precision levels of 0.1 and 0.25. In sequential sampling model, sample size required to determine pest’s mean population was decreased by increasing density and decreasing the precision level from 0.1 to 0.25. Based on these results, S. cretica due to its multigenerational characteristics, poses a significant threat to maize fields. In this context, spatial distribution indices can be effectively utilized to enhance sampling strategies aimed at accurately estimating the population of this pest. Sesamia cretica Lederer is one of the most important pests of corn and sugarcane crops in Iran. To study the population fluctuations, spatial distribution, and sequential sampling plan of this pest, sampling was done weekly in maize fields of Andimeshk and Shush regions, during 2022 and 2023. To estimate the population of pest immature stages, the whole plant of maize was selected as the sample unit. The results indicated that this pest produced four generations annually on maize, with an average population of 1.56±0.285 and 0.38±0.134 per plant in the first year, and 0.52±0.102 and 0.65±0.246 per plant in the second year, observed in Andimeshk and Shush, respectively. The spatial distribution of S. cretica was determined by two regression methods, Taylor’s power law and Iowa’s models. Both methods showed that the distribution pattern of pest in maize fields across both regions was aggregated throughout the two years of sampling. To enhance the description of the data by Taylor's power law, parameters of this method were used to develop sequential sampling plan using Green’s method at precision levels of 0.1 and 0.25. In sequential sampling model, sample size required to determine pest’s mean population was decreased by increasing density and decreasing the precision level from 0.1 to 0.25. Based on these results, S. cretica due to its multigenerational characteristics, poses a significant threat to maize fields. In this context, spatial distribution indices can be effectively utilized to enhance sampling strategies aimed at accurately estimating the population of this pest.

https://iprj.guilan.ac.ir/article_8128_b15de76def0d8fb5dbf5190b839fe830.pdf