Application of secondary metabolites of biological control agents on the population and percentage of shoot fly pest attacks (Atherigona sp.) on corn plants (Zea mays L.)

Shoot fly (Atherigona sp.) is one of the important pests that attack corn plants in the vegetative phase. The aim of this research was to calculate the population and percentage of shoot fly attacks in plots where secondary metabolites of biological control agents were applied to corn plants (Zea mays). The research method was carried out using a randomized block design (RBD) with 5 treatments and 4 groups. The treatments given were: P1: secondary metabolites of Beauveria bassiana 20 ml/l; P2: secondary metabolites of Trichoderma sp. 20 ml/l; P3: secondary metabolites of B. bassiana+Trichoderma sp. 20 ml/l; P4: commercial chemical insecticide containing the active ingredient chlorpyrifos+cypermethrin 2 ml/l (positive control); and P5: no application (negative control). Application of each treatment was carried out at plant ages 14 and 28 days after planting (dap). Population and attack intensity observations were carried out 2 days after application using direct observation, insect nets, and pan traps. The results of observations in each treatment plot showed that the percentage of shoot fly attacks (Atherigona sp.) was not significantly different in each treatment plot when observed 14–28 days after planting. The percentage of shoot fly attacks is P1=5.42%, P2=14.17%, P3=10%, P4=15%, and P5=9.58%. Observations of the shoot fly population using insect nets were found in each treatment plot and were not significantly different. In plots without treatment (P5), the population of shoot flies caught in pan traps was significantly different from other treatments, namely an average population of 1.5 individuals per pan trap. The population of seed flies decreased when observed at 28 days after planting, which were caught in nets and pan traps.