Scientific Papers, UASVM Bucharest, Series A, Vol. LIII, 2010, ISSN 1222-5339 RESEARCH REGARDING SPECIES OF NEUROPTERA FAUNA FROM MAIZE AGRO ECOSYSTEM A.G. NECHITA, I. ROŞCA University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest Keywords: Maize, Neuropteran fauna, biology Abstract In the field, during 2009, in 4 variants with different hybrids of maize planted, specimens insects caught on yellow sticky traps were recorded taking into consideration specimens of nontarget organims represented by Neuropterans. A lot of insect groups were captured on yellow sticky traps and comparison of proportion; it is noted that the most numerous are Coccinellidae, followed by Syrphid and finally Neuropterans. The most widespread neuropteran species is Chrysopa carnea, followed by Osmylus chrisops and only ont the third place is situated Drepanepteryx phalaenoides. Neuropteran populations are developed in late July, when numbers reach a peak of development, then this reduces their agroecosistem easily (their presence will continue to be significant) and their number gradually reduces towards the end of vegetation maize. There are no differences in the structure and quantity of wildlife Neuropterans between different hybrids. INTRODUCTION Amazing evolution, from the last period of chemical treatments against pests and diseases, reflected in the treated areas and quantity of used pesticides, together with interest of more people jointed in actions referring to protect environmental conservation, on aspect included in the countries legislation, made to increase interest for study of effects of different technologies of control pests and diseases on useful fauna from different agrocoenoses. If a lot of studies were done, in Romania about biology, ecology and control of maize insect pest [1-6], is litlle information about useful fauna or nontarget organisms [nontarget organism = an organism which is affected by an interaction (for example, a pesticide application) for which it was not the intended recipient]. A large number of small creatures and micro-organisms live in the maize field. They form a species community and each has a place in the food chain. These organisms come into contact with the maize either directly by eating the plant, or indirectly, by eating or parasitizing the prey that has eaten maize or plant parts. Beneficial organisms include various insects, mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms that feed on or parasitize pest species. Some of these species are well-known and have been researched in Europe, as well as in Romania and other countries; however, many 435
more are less known species. The value of these organisms to agriculture and the environment are likely underestimated. A comparative study is done between Neuropteran fauna from different maize hybrids, and role of these insects in maize agroecocenoses is discussed. Romania has a large area cultivated with maize (in average 3,000,000 ha/year), maize being most cultivated field cereal, easily cultivated for small farmers, being possible to be completely mechanized, offering maize cultivators a general good income and kernels are used for feeding animals, in industry and human alimentation. Based on the experiments performed during the last 8 years in Romania, in different crops which have offered to us the possibility to observe if there are some influence on existing fauna captured in Yellow Sticky Traps (Pherocone AM traps) in field. The insect order Neuroptera, or net-winged insects, includes the lacewings, mantidflies, antlions, and their relatives. The order contains some 4,000 species. The common name lacewings is often used for the most widely known net-winges insects - the green lacewings (Chrysopidae) - but actually most members of the Neuroptera are referred to as some sort of "lacewing". Neuropterans are softbodied insects with relatively few specialised features. They have large lateral compound eyes, and may or may not also have ocelli. The larvae are specialised predators, with elongated mandibles adapted for piercing and the larvae of most families are predators. Many chrysopids eat aphids and other pest insects, and have been used for biological control (either from commercial distributors but also abundant and widespread in nature). Adults of many groups are also predatory, but some do not feed, or consume only nectar or polen (as Chrysopa carnea). The most interested groups of Neuroptera are superfamily Osmyloidea with family Osmylidae (osmylids), family Chrysopidae (green lacewings, stinkflies, formerly in Hemerobioidea) and superfamily Hemerobioidea with family Hemerobiidae (brown lacewings). MATERIAL AND METHODS The experiment was performed in Borovce, Slovakia, where were cultivated 4 reference hybrids in 2009 (NK Cisko, NK Fortius, PR 36D79 and KWS 1393) maize plots. Maize plots were 36/30 m, 75 cm inter-row spacing (46 rows approximately 150 plants/row). Foliar non-target arthropod abundance was assessed using yellow sticky traps, type Pherocone AM trap, 3/plot (on 18, 27 and 35 row, on each plot). Yellow sticky traps were installed, harvested and replaced, weekly or biweekly by Prof. Ludovit Cagan, (in 2009 on 2, 16, 30 June; 14, 21, 28 July; 11, 25 August and 7 September). Yellow sticky traps were maintained during transportation and analyzed at +4 0 C, as soon as possible were analyzed by taking out (with glue) and counting Neuropteran specimens which were glued on paper sheet and put together in an envelope in the refrigerator. 436
As non-target organisms there were taken into consideration specimens of Neuropteran, under stereomicroscope or with magnifying glass were registered specimens of this group. Determination of the species was done for Neuroptera after: www.hlasek.com/ [7-9] and Fauna Romanian-Neuroptera [10]. Under stereomicroscope or with loupe were registered and determined specimens of Neuroptera and after that taking out from glue specimens belonging to this group, were glued on paper sheet and put together in an envelope in the refrigerator. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The Neuropteran species founded on yellow sticky traps were noted as shown in the following images (*http://www.hlasek.com Chrysopa carnea 359; Osmylus chrisops 366; Drepanepteryx phalaenoides 386): 1- Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) or Chrysopa carnea; 2-Osmylus fulvicephalus (Scopoli, l763) or Osmylus chrisops; 3-Drepanepteryx phalaenoides (Linnaeus, l758) (Figure 1). 1* 2* 3* Fig. 1. Neuropteran species Table 1 presents the evolution of captures at different data on different hybrids, there are no significant differences between Neuropteran species captures at a certain data and analysed hybrids. 437
Table 1 Evolution of Neuropteran species captures at different data on different hybrids Date Hybrid Chrysopa carnea Osmylus chrisops Drepanepteryx phalaenoides 1 2 3 4 5 2 June 16 June 30 June 14 July 21 July PR36D79 0 0 0 NK Fortius 0 0 0 KWS 1393 0 0 0 NK CISKO 0 0 0 TOTAL 0 0 0 PR36D79 23 0 0 NK Fortius 18 1 0 KWS 1393 19 0 0 NK CISKO 15 1 0 TOTAL 75 2 0 PR36D79 11 0 0 NK Fortius 16 0 0 KWS 1393 9 1 0 NK CISKO 18 1 0 TOTAL 54 2 0 PR36D79 8 3 1 NK Fortius 4 0 0 KWS 1393 5 3 0 NK CISKO 3 4 0 TOTAL 20 10 1 PR36D79 37 1 0 NK Fortius 22 0 2 KWS 1393 39 3 0 NK CISKO 31 3 0 TOTAL 129 7 2 438
1 2 3 4 5 28 July 11 August 25 August 7 Septembre PR36D79 8 0 0 NK Fortius 11 4 1 KWS 1393 15 5 2 NK CISKO 3 4 0 TOTAL 37 13 3 PR36D79 1 0 2 NK Fortius 5 4 4 KWS 1393 1 1 2 NK CISKO 1 5 0 TOTAL 8 10 8 PR36D79 0 1 1 NK Fortius 0 0 1 KWS 1393 1 2 0 NK CISKO 1 1 0 TOTAL 2 4 2 PR36D79 0 0 0 NK Fortius 0 2 0 KWS 1393 0 0 1 NK CISKO 0 2 1 TOTAL 0 4 2 Taking into consideration the number of specimens from the total of 395, the most spreaded species was Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) or Chrysopa carnea [325 specimens (82%)]; folowed by Osmylus fulvicephalus (Scopoli, l763) or Osmylus chrisops [52 specimens (13%)] and Drepanepteryx phalaenoides (Linnaeus, l758) [18 specimens (5%)] (figure 2). The evolution of Neuropteran species captured during all period in yellow sticky traps, in maize fields showed that the evolution of flight of Chrysopa carnea Steph. had two peaks, in the midle of June and in second half of July, but Osmylus chrisops Scop. and Drepanepteryx phalaenoides L. had the largest number in the middle of July until the first half of August (Figure 3). 439
Osmylus chrisops, 52 [13%] Drepanepteryx phalaenoides, 18 [5%] Chrysopa carnea, 325 [82%] Fig. 2. Structure of Neuropteran species captured in maize fields 2 June 16 June 30 June 14 July 21 July 28 July 11 August 25 August 7 Septembre 140 129 120 No. specimens 100 80 60 40 20 0 75 54 37 20 10 13 8 7 10 8 0 2 0 2 2 4 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 2 2 Chrysopa carnea Osmylus chrisops Drepanepteryx phalaenoides Fig. 3. Evolution of Neuropteran species captured in maize fields CONCLUSIONS 1. The most common species found in yellow sticky traps in maize crops was Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) or Chrysopa carnea followed by Osmylus fulvicephalus (Scopoli, l763) or Osmylus chrisops and Drepanepteryx phalaenoides (Linnaeus, l758). 440
2. There are no significant differences between the Neuropteran captures at a certain data and the 4 hybrids grown and analysed (NK Cisko, NK Fortius, PR 36D79 and KWS 1393). 3. The evolution of Neuropteran species captured during all period in yellow sticky traps, in maize fields showed that evolution of flight of Chrysopa carnea Steph. had two peaks, in the midle of June and in second half of July, but Osmylus chrisops Scop. and Drepanepteryx phalaenoides L. had the largest number in the middle of July until the first half of August. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Research was supported by the Contract 2072/2009 "Analysis nontarget organisms in experimental field with transgenic Monsanto maize, Slovakia REFERENCES 1. Čamprag D., R. Sekulić, T. Kereši, F. Bača, 2004. Cucuruzna sovica (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) i integralne mere suzbijanja. Poljoprivredni fakulted, Feljton, Novi Sad. 2. Barbulescu Al. et all., 2000. Protectia culturilor de camp impotriva bolilor si daunatorilor. Agentia Nationala de Consultanta Agricola, Bucuresti. 3. Paulian Fl. & Maria Pana, 1972. Insecticidele granulate si tratamentul semintei ca procedee noi in protectia culturilor de porumb impotriva gargaritei Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyll. An. I.C.P.P., vol 38, Seria C (pp. 412-418). 4. Perju T. et all., 1988. Entomofagii si utilizarea lor in protectia integrata a ecosistemelor agricole. Ed. Ceres, Bucuresti. 5. Voinescu I., 1985. Tratamentul semintelor de porumb cu insecticide carbamicemetoda eficace de combatere a gargaritei Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyll. Probl. Prot. Plant., XIII, 2 (pp. 19-28). 6. Voinescu I. & Barbulescu Al., 1986. Eficacitatea unor insecticide granulate in combaterea sfredelitorului porumbului (Ostrinia nubilallis Hb.). An. I.C.C.P.T., 1986, vol. LIII (pp. 149-154). 7. www.hlasek.com/. 8. Brooks, S.J. & Barnard. P.C., 1990. The green lacewings of the world: a generic review (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History (Entomology) 59 (2) (pp. 117 286). 9. McEwen P.K., T.R. New, and A.E. Whittington, 2001. Lacewings in the Crop Environment. Ed. Cambridge, U.K., and New York: Cambridge University Press. 10. Paulian M. 2002. Recent additions to the green lacewing fauna of Romania (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Acta Zoologica Scientiarum Hungariae. 48 (Suppl. 2) (pp. 265-269). 441