Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala L.) – Dangerous Pest to the Winter Oilseed Rape

Abstract

The cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala L.) is one of the pests, which creates significant problems when breeding the rape. Given the purpose of this study is to trace the occurrence, population dynamics and environmental conditions that influence the development of the species. The study took place in the training and experimental base of the Agricultural University - Plovdiv. The density of the cabbage stem flea beetle was detected with standard methods in entomology – mowing with entomological bag and reporting of individual plants, applied throughout the growing season of culture. The results of studies show that temperature has an important impact on the emergence and development of the cabbage stem flea beetle in canola rapeseed sowing. With average daily temperatures above 18oС in autumn, the species raise its number in the crop. A decrease in daily average temperatures below 18oС in summer the cabbage stem flea beetle falls in a diapause.