First Record of Mythimna sequax (lepidoptera: noctuidae) damaging canary grass (Phalaris canariensis) in Ijuí, RS, Brazil

Abstract

Canary grass (Phalaris canariensis L.) is a plant belonging to the Poaceae family, exhibiting a production cycle like the main winter cereals cultivated in Rio Grande do Sul. In pursuit of this market, the Regional University of Northwestern State of Rio Grande do Sul, through the Genetic Improvement Program – Grain and Cover Plants line, has successfully undertaken initiatives to enhance canary grass cultivation. This involves improving cultivars and adopting technologies to maximize productivity, with the aim of providing cultivars better adapted to the northwestern region of the state to meet the needs of local producers. In this sense, this research stands as the inaugural report of the pest in Ijuí, RS, Brazil, specifically targeting canary grass, offering valuable insights into its life stages, and providing a foundation for future studies on Mythimna sequax.