Lactic acid bacteria represent a dynamic bacterial group in maize silage. Their establishement, variations and characterization have been studied by investigating 22 samples taken at different times during the ensilage process. After a preliminary screening based on physiological characteristics 100 of 229 strains isolates were chosen for further taxonomic investigation. Twenty-nine strains of Homofermentative lactobacilli were identified as L. plantarum, L. casei and L. coryniformis; 24 heterofermentative strains were allotted to L. buchneri, L. brevis, L. fermentum and Lc paramesenteroides; 22 coccal strains as E. faecium, S. lactis and S. bosis. A few strains remained unidentified.