ARS | Publication request: Role of Ostrinia Nubilalis in Vectoring Aspergillus Flavus in a Corn Field in northern Italy

Submitted to: Proceedings of American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: March 5, 2008
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis, is a major pest of corn in Europe and in several agricultural areas of the USA. In addition to direct yield losses, the ECB is expected to act as a vector for carrying spores of the aflatoxin-producing fungus Aspergillus flavus. Therefore the objective of this study was to investigate the role of ECB larvae and moths in dispersal of A. flavus propagules in a corn field in Northern Italy. Approximately 5 and 10 % of first-flight ECB, contained detectable A. flavus propagules, as determined by cultural methods and PCR, respectively. More Aspergilli propagules were carried by individual of the second flight. Approximately 50 and 95% moths and larvae of the first generation had detectable A. flavus, respectively. These findings indicated that adults and larvae of the ECB can play an important role in carrying A. flavus propagules especially late in the cropping season.