Determination of Population Development and Infestation Rate of The Beet Armyworm [Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] in Sugarbeet Fields in Ilgın (Konya) District

This study was carried out in sugar beet fields (Centrum, Duger and Karakoy) in the center of Ilgin, the district of Konya between the years of 2017-2018. With this study, it is aimed to determine infestation rate, the first adult emergence time, adult population abundance, adult population peaks and adult activity duration in nature, which are essential criteria required for the management of Beet armyworm [ Spodoptera exigua (Lep.: Noctuidae)] in Ilgin. The population development of S. exigua was monitored by sexual attractive pheromone traps.  As a result of the study, it was determined that the adults of Spodoptera exigua were first caught in sexual attractive traps in the first half of May. In order to determine the infestation rate caused by the pest, weekly beans were sampled from the period of sugarbeet with 8-10 leaves. The adult population peaked twice during the all years, including June and July. The date when adults were caught in traps was in the first half of September every two years. With these results, it was determined that S. exigua adults were active in nature for at least four months (May-September). The average infestation rate of the fields in 2017-2018 was 0.0- 0.1%, 0.1- 0.1% in Duger and 0.2- 0.2% in Karakoy, respectively. Although the population of the pest does not increase every year, it might create an outbreak in some years. It is recommended that our producers continuously monitor the population of the pest.