Susceptibility of maize populations to <em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em> Smith and <em>Helicoverpa zea</em> Bod. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The susceptibility of 49 maize populations to Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa zea was studied. The less susceptible populations to S. frugiperda were Campeão, Cravo, BR 106, Asteca (origin of São Mateus), Palha Roxa (Francisco Beltrão), Palha Roxa (Governador Valadares), Mato Grosso, Amarelo Paulista and BR- 453, while Palha Roxa (Celso MG) was the most susceptible. The most susceptible populations to H. zea were CMS 39, Empasc 151, Nitroflint, CMS 50, Palha Roxa (Celso MG), BR 201, Empasc 151, Antigo Maia, BR 451, Híbrido Bonfinópolis, Carioca, BR 106, Brancão, Sintético Elite, Composto Amarelo Dentado, Amarelão, BR 453 and Amarelo Paulista. The most productive populations, with heavier corncobs and early flowering corncobs at lower height and smaller size plants, were more attacked by H. zea. Populations highly attacked by H. zea showed higher percent of rotten corncobs