U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research: Ames, IA
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Database Projects
                        MaizeGDB
                                    SoyBase
                                    PeanutBase
                                    Legume Information System
                                    Maize Newsletter
                                    Maize Mutant Phenotypes
                                    Maize Genetics Conference
                                    Shiny Soybase CNV
                                    Shiny Soybase SNP
                                    Common Bean and Alfalfa - PvGEA
                                    Common Bean and Alfalfa - AGEDSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area Ames, Iowa Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            PRASIFKA, JARRAD - University Of Illinoisitem
                                            Buhay, Jenniferitem
                                            Sappington, Thomasitem
                                            HEATON, EMILY - Iowa State Universityitem
                                            BRADSHAW, JEFFREY - University Of Nebraskaitem
                                            GRAY, MICHAEL - University Of Illinois
  Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 5/1/2011
                                    Citation: Prasifka, J.R., Buhay, J.E., Sappington, T.W., Heaton, E.A., Bradshaw, J.D., Gray, M.E. 2011. Stem-boring caterpillars of switchgrass in the midwestern United States. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 104(3):507-514.Interpretive Summary: Switchgrass is a native perennial prairie grass that is being developed for large scale planting as a biofuel feedstock.  Very little is known about the insect species that feed on this plant and how damaging they may become once switchgrass is grown in large acreages.  Stands of switchgrass of different ages (1-5 years) were sampled in Illinois and Iowa to characterize the caterpillar species that bore into the stems, as well as details about the damage they cause.  Three species were found, one of which was restricted to Illinois.  Two of the species, Blastobasis and Haimbachia, may feed only on switchgrass.  The third, stalk borer (Papaipema), is better known because it feeds on many plant species and is an occasional pest of corn.  It is a relatively large insect that cannot complete development on switchgrass alone because of its small stem size, and there is evidence that the older, larger caterpillars moved out of switchgrass and began feeding on nearby weeds.  In some conditions, nearby corn or Miscanthus crops could be at risk of damage by stalk borers leaving switchgrass.  Sampling of adult Blastobasis through the night indicated that peak flight activity occurs around 2:30 am. This information will be useful to university, government, and industry scientists and farmers as switchgrass increases in importance as a biofuel crop and is monitored for pest damage.
                                Technical Abstract: Lepidopteran stem-borers were collected from switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L., tillers showing symptoms of infestation at seven locations in Illinois and Iowa, with additional observations made on larval and adult activity. Blastobasis repartella (Dietz)(Coleophoridae), whose only known host is switchgrass, was common in stands grown for more than five years, while the polyphagous stalk borer, Papaipema nebris (Guenée)(Noctuidae), was abundant in newly established (i.e., first- and second-year) switchgrass. Haimbachia albescens Capps (Crambidae) also was collected from two locations in Illinois, making switchgrass the first known host for this species. Entry holes made by B. repartella and H. albescens were usually 1–2 cm above the soil surface, precluding discrimination between these species based on external appearance of damage. Though P. nebris often entered stems within 5 cm of the soil surface, they also appeared to move between stems and were the only species entering stems at heights above 15 cm. B. repartella adults were active on and above the switchgrass canopy by 2130 hours, with peak activity around 0230. Activity of B. repartella adults appeared greatly reduced on one night with relatively cool temperatures and low wind speeds. Data from switchgrass and giant ragweed, Ambrosia trifida L., suggest P. nebris move out of switchgrass stems during July in search of larger diameter hosts. If weed hosts like giant ragweed are controlled, the risks from movement of P. nebris larvae out of switchgrass and into other crops may be low, as hosts like corn, Zea mays L., or Miscanthus spp. may have outgrown the potential for serious damage.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov