Abstract The western corn rootworm [Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (WCR)] is an economic pest of maize in North America and in most maize growing regions in Europe. Although the maize root-feeding larval stage causes the primary damage, yield losses due to WCR adult silk clipping on maize ears can occur in inbred lines and commercial grain maize, for which WCR economic thresholds have been determined in North America and Central Europe. However, similar data for sweet maize are not available. The aim of this research was to determine if silk feeding damage in sweet maize resulted in production losses and, if so, at what WCR adult levels. The three-year study was conducted using the Suregold sweet maize variety in Hungary from 2016-2018. Nylon bridal veil cages were placed over maize ears at the beginning of R1 plant stage with 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 beetles in 2016 and 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 or 12 beetles in 2017 and 2018 placed inside the cages. Uncaged ears were used as untreated controls. Silk length was measured daily until the end of silking. Adults were then removed from the cages, but the cages remained covering the ears until harvest. After harvest, cob weights were determined and fertility ratios were assessed. The three-year results showed that WCR densities of up to 8 adults/ear are not likely to lead to economic damage in sweet maize.

中文翻译：

---

成虫西部玉米根虫（Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Leconte，鞘翅目：Chrysomelidae）蚕丝对甜玉米产量参数的影响

摘要 西部玉米根虫 [Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (WCR)] 是北美和欧洲大部分玉米产区的玉米经济害虫。尽管玉米食根幼虫阶段造成了主要损害，但在自交系和商业谷物玉米中可能会发生由于 WCR 成体蚕丝夹在玉米穗上而导致的产量损失，在北美和中欧已经确定了 WCR 经济阈值。但是，没有甜玉米的类似数据。本研究的目的是确定甜玉米的蚕丝喂养损伤是否会导致产量损失，如果是，那么 WCR 成虫水平是多少。这项为期三年的研究是在 2016 年至 2018 年间使用匈牙利的 Suregold 甜玉米品种进行的。在 R1 植株阶段开始时将尼龙新娘面纱笼置于玉米穗上，0、1、2、2016 年有 4 或 8 只甲虫，2017 年和 2018 年有 0、1、2、4、8 或 12 只甲虫被放置在笼子内。未笼养的耳朵用作未处理的对照。每天测量蚕丝长度，直到脱丝结束。然后将成虫从笼子中取出，但笼子保持覆盖耳朵直到收获。收获后，测定穗轴重量并评估生育率。三年的结果表明，高达 8 个成虫/穗的 WCR 密度不太可能导致甜玉米的经济损失。测定穗轴重量并评估生育率。三年的结果表明，高达 8 个成虫/穗的 WCR 密度不太可能导致甜玉米的经济损失。测定穗轴重量并评估生育率。三年的结果表明，高达 8 个成虫/穗的 WCR 密度不太可能导致甜玉米的经济损失。