Preliminary studies on the arthropod biodiversity associated with sugarcane in Panama and the impact of stemborers

In Panama, lepidopteran stem borers Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Crambidae), Telchin licus (Durry) (Castniidae) and Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) (Pyralidae) are the most important pests for the sugarcane industry. The objective of this preliminary study was to start an inventory and assessment of the fauna (invertebrates and vertebrates) and flora associated with the sugarcane agrosystem and to investigate the damage and impact of stemborers. In addition, we also conduct preliminary tests with the synthetic pheromones of D. saccharalis and E. lignosellus, the main species.. The observations were conducted in 2015 during 4 months, from january to april in CALESA Sugar Company, Panama. Borer damage was assessed on a total of 2100 stalks taken from one single field. On average, infestation level was 23.5% of stalk damaged with 1.4% of internodes bored The larval parasitism rate on D. saccharalis was 23.53%, comprising &RWHVLD ÀDYLSHV (5.88%), Lixophaga diatraeae (5.88%) and Billaea claripalpis (11.76%). The majority of the holes and tunnels from this borer species were located between internodes 13 and 20 in the middle section of the stalk. Nine species of vertebrates (birds, bats, lizards mainly) and 16 orders, 57 families and 66 species of arthropods were recorded. A list of pests and predators such as spiders, ants and other groups are being identified or confirmed. D. saccharalis pheromones did not attract this species in trapping experiments, despite the use of different trap designs whereas as Elasmopalpus synthetic pheromone attracted adults. Further tests will be conducted on a longer period. (Texte integral