Factors contributing to the population changes of major maize pests in Serbia

Changes in pest populations occur on a regular basis and can be influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors, including human activites. The objective of this article was to outline several factors that contributed to the population changes in major maize pests over a 50 year period as reported in Serbian literature. Populations of economically important insects, pathogens and weeds were influenced by changes in agronomic practices and introduction of new species. Examples of new pests included: insect species such as western corn rootworm, weed species such as common ragweed and marshelder, and various pathogens including races of Exserohilum turcicum and Bipolaris zeicola. There was also an increase in maize dwarf mosaic virus and barley yellow dwarf virus.