بررسی ساعت های اوج پرواز Sesamia cretica و Pentadon algerinum تحت شرایط مزارع نیشکر

Sugarcane stem borer and sugarcane crown borer beetle are two important pests of sugarcane fields in Khuzestan province, Iran. Development of non-chemical management methods of these destructive pests has always been considered under sugarcane agro ecosystems scenarion. Light traps are one of the crucial important tools in managing the population of these nocturnal insects. The aim of this study was to known the most important hours of the night that two species Pentodon algerinum Herbst (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and Sesamia cretica Lederer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) choose for their activities under sugarcane field conditions. The results of the experiments clearly showed that in the case of P. algerinum, the highest percentage of catching adults was done from 22:00 to 01:00 h (the first five hours of the night or dark). Also, in the case of S. cretica, the highest percentage of catching was done from 24:00 to 04:00 h (four hours after dark until the last hours of the night). In general, it can be stated that if both P. algerinum and S. cretica are considered as serious pests in sugarcane ecosystem and light traps considered as their management tools, these traps should be making in such a way that be able to stay on for at least 8 h from the early hours of the night until the middle of the night.