Journal of Economic Entomology (1999) 92, 503-509

E.A. Sobek and G.P. Munkvold (1999)
European corn borer (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) larvae as vectors of Fusarium moniliforme, causing kernel rot and symptomless infection of maize kernels
Journal of Economic Entomology 92 (3), 503-509
Abstract: Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the ability of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) larvae to act as vectors of Fusarium moniliforme J. Sheld. from maize leaf surfaces to kernels. Leaf surfaces of plants in the dough stage were sprayed with a spore suspension of F. moniliforme strain EA-2, after which plants were manually infested with O. nubilalis larvae or kernels were mechanically wounded. In 2 greenhouse experiments, O. nubilalis larvae significantly increased incidence of kernel rot symptoms and symptomless infection. Strain EA-2 was detected on O. nubilalis larvae, in plant debris in the leaf axils, and in 28-39% of F. moniliforme-infected kernels from plants manually infested with O. nubilalis. In the field, O. nubilalis infestation significantly increased incidence of kernel rot symptoms (1995) and symptomless infection (1994 and 1995). Symptomless infection was highest for treatments in which larvae were artificially contaminated with F. moniliforme strain EA-4 prior to manual infestation of plants. F. moniliforme strain EA-2 (from leaf surfaces) and strain EA-4 (from larvae) were recovered from kernels in the O. nubilalis-infested treatments in 1995. Results indicated that O. nubilalis larvae can act as vectors of F. moniliforme, increasing symptoms of Fusarium kernel rot and symptomless infection of kernels by F. moniliforme. Kernel wounding also is an important factor contributing to this disease.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Gary P. Munkvold

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ostrinia nubilalis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
	Fusarium verticillioides	Maize/corn (Zea mays)