Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Climate Drivers of Major Maize Insect Pests Across Agroecological Zones in Morocco
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15377/2409-9813.2026.13.3Keywords:
Maize insect pests, Agroecological zones, Climate–pest interactions, Seasonal population dynamics, Integrated pest management (IPM).Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) in Morocco faces diverse insect pests, yet their seasonal patterns and climatic responses remain unclear; weekly surveys (2023–2025, weeks 18–30) were conducted in Zemamra, Mettouh, and Oulad Saïd zones using multiple trapping methods. Eight major pests were monitored: Sesamia nonagrioides, Ostrinia nubilalis, Agrotis segetum, Rhopalosiphum padi, Sitobion avenae, Oscinella frit, Agriotes lineatus, and Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Pest composition was consistent, with R. padi (15.8–18.4%), S. avenae (14.3–16.5%), and S. nonagrioides (15.4–17.3%) dominating, while O. frit was least abundant (6.7–7.2%). Abundance consistently peaked during weeks 20–21 across all years and sites, with the highest levels recorded in Zemamra (342.5–357.3), followed by Mettouh (336.9–352.8) and Oulad Saïd (298.4–309.0). Diversity indices remained stable (Shannon–Wiener (H′) ~1.4–1.6; Margalef (D) ~0.9–1.0; Pielou’s (J) indices ~0.8) with little variation across sites or years. Aphids correlated positively with humidity (R. padi Spearman’s coefficient (r) = 0.877; S. avenae r = 0.851) and rainfall (R. padi r = 0.924; S. avenae r = 0.958); other pests showed weak, non-significant climatic associations. Moroccan maize pests peak in late May, with aphids rising under humid, rainy conditions, emphasizing the importance of climate-based pest management strategies.
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