Some bionomic parameters, molecular characterization, and susceptibility of spotted stem borer chilo partellus swinhoe, 1885 (Lepidoptera: crambidae) to selected insecticides in Adana province, Turkey

In this study, the population dynamics of spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe 1885 was investigated in Balcalı, Adana, Turkey in 2018-2019. Also, the susceptibility of blackhead eggs and first instar larvae of C. partellus to some insecticides was determined in laboratory conditions. In addition, Turkish populations of C. partellus were characterized using molecular techniques. The first observation of C. partellus larvae on maize plants was on 03 May and 15 May in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The population of C. partellus peaked twice, in May and July in both years. High levels of Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner and Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. were observed in the second crop of maize for both years. The generalist egg parasitoid Trichogramm evanenscens Westwood was recorded on eggs of C. partellus for the first time. Deltamethrin reduced hatching of blackhead egg masses of C. partellus to 30.62%. All insecticides tested in the study caused mortality of first instar larvae of C. partellus greater than 50.0% after 72 h of exposure. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identity of the C. partellus samples collected by 99-100% nucleotide accuracy. The Turkish populations of C. partellus were mixed populations, hypothesized to have originated from India, Kenya and South Africa. This study reveals that insecticides and natural enemies such as T. evanenscens mght play a critical role in the management of C. partellus in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Key words: Adana, Chilo partellus, phylogentic analysis, Trichogramma evanenscens, Turkey