Importance and control of soil pests in silage maize in the highlands of the Pyrenees, north-east Spain

In the highlands of the Pyrenees (north-east Spain), during the last ten years natural pastures have been replaced by arable fodder crops with a non-tillage system in the rotation: silage maize–winter cereals–artificial pastures. This change of crops has led to several problems caused by previously undetected maize pests. A three-year study determined the species involved and their actual incidence . Two soil pest species were identified as the most important : Agriotes lineatus and Agrotis segetum, the latter causing the most important damage mainly in maize sown in bare soil. However, the level of attack did not justify preventive treatments against the soil pest, and curative treatments with liquid chlorpyrifos are considered to be an alternative.