Perkembangan Populasi Tiga Hama Utama pada Tanaman Jagung (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Corn is an important cereal crops as a carbohydrate source for millions people in the world. That also a biggest part of people menu in developing countries. The main pests of the often problem in the cultivation corn are Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Ostrinia furnacalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The aims of this study is to determine population growth and attack of aphids R. maidis, O. furnacalis, H. armigera on corn plantation. Observation of three types pests implemented on 10 plots of planting corn, each plot measuring 4 m x 5 m. Observations were made on vegetative and generative plant of maize. The observations result indicate that the population density of aphids R. maidis peaked at the age of 49 days after planting, while the natural enemies of the family Coccinellidae reach peak population at the age of plants 65 days after planting. Larvae O. furnacalis and H. armigera start found on corn cobs at age 59 days after planting. The both of pest attack symptoms can be distinguished, O. furnacalis make holes on the ends of cob and elongate, while H. armigera borer on tip of the corn cob and eat the kernel on the ends of the corn cob. The intensity of damage result by O. furnacalis and H. armigera on corn cobs is low and didn't give real effect to production. Production of corn, from the stem were attacked by O. furnacalis is not significantly different with the production of healthy stems.