STUDY ON ATTACKS OF TOMATO FRUITWORM (HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA HÜBNER) IN VEGETABLE PLANTS

Maria Călin(1), Tina OanaCristea(1), Silvica Ambarus(1), Creola Brezeanu(1), Petre Marian Brezeanu(1), Maria Prisecaru(2), George Florin Şova(1)

1. Vegetable Research and Development Station Bacau, Calea Barladului, no. 220, Bacau, code: 600388 e-mail: sclbac@legumebac.ro
2. University „Vasile Alecsandri” of Bacau, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology and Environment Protection, Marasesti Street, no. 157, Romania e-mail: prisecaru_maria@yahoo.com

Abstract

The study of degree attack of H armigera was performed at VRDS Bacau during 2010- 2012. The attack appeared at end of June in all years. Attack level in first generation of pest was very low, therefore go unnoticed. There were no significant differences between the three variants during 2010 - 2012. In second generation of H. armigera the degree of attack (DA%) was under 1,3% in open field at Unibac and Roma cultivar. In tunnels DA% was high: 8,9% in 2010, 4,5% in 2011 and 14,5% in 2012. Climatic conditions were very favorable for pests in 2012: drought and high temperatures, so that may be a reason why the attack was very high in tomatoes grown in the tunnels. In tunnel the attack in pepper ranged between 0,9 % in 2010, 3,8 in 2011 and 5,0 % in 2012. The attack of tomato fruitworm in bean was high in 2012 in Auria Bacaului variety. The pest attack of second generation increased progressively in the three years of study, being: 1,1 in 2010, 2,1 in 2011 and 5,7 in 2012. The data obtained show that H. armigera population is increasing. In order to prevent the damages produced by this pest a continuous monitoring of its population must be performed. This pest is polyphagous insect and it can attack many species of vegetable.

Keywords

monitoring tomato fruitworm vegetables