Monitoring the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) on hops (Humulus lupulus L.) with sex pheromone traps in Slovenia

Abstract: In Slovenia, the European corn borer (ECB; Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) is the most important pest of corn (Zea mays L.) and hops (Humulus lupulus L.), and also can cause significant damage to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and pepper crops, and to some ornamental plant species. Over the last 10 years, ECB pest status has increased significantly in areas of Slovenia. The Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing has been trapping ECB in hop garden, on location Žalec, with a light trap for over 35 years, which has proven to be a very effective way of monitoring the population of ECB. Beginning in 2010, we started using pheromone-baited traps to monitor ECB moths. Before this date we did not know exactly which strain of ECB has in the Savinja Valley. In Savinja Valley, which is on the central part of Slovenia, only the E-sex pheromone strain of ECB is present on hops and on corn. During 2010 no moths were caught in sex pheromone-baited delta sticky traps. In 2011 we started monitoring ECB with wire mesh cone traps. Surprisingly this method was not successful during 2012. During both 2011 and 2012 we also used phenylacetaldehyde as an attractant to capture ECB female moths, with this we did not successful.