The Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) – a danger to cultivation of corn in Europe

Authors

  • Kristin Schwabe Julius Kühn-Institut – Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen, Institut für Pflanzenschutz in Ackerbau und Grünland, Braunschweig
  • Antje Kunert Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Institut für Pflanzenschutz, Freising
  • Udo Heimbach Julius Kühn-Institut – Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen, Institut für Pflanzenschutz in Ackerbau und Grünland, Braunschweig
  • Michael Zellner Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Institut für Pflanzenschutz, Freising
  • Peter Baufeld Julius Kühn-Institut – Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen, Institut für nationale und internationale Angelegenheiten der Pflanzengesundheit, Kleinmachnow
  • Giselher Grabenweger Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit, Institut für Pflanzengesundheit, Wien

Keywords:

Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, quarantine pest, control, research program

Abstract

The Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) is economically the most important corn pest worldwide. Its first appearance in Southern Ger­many in 2007 was followed by further infestations in additional locations in the following years. Control measures on Diabrotica being a quarantine pest in Europe are carried out in Germany. In the USA and in Canada the Western Corn Rootworm causes annual losses of about one billion USD due to yield loss and expenditure on pest control. Preventive and agronomic controls, application of soil insecticides (granulates) and seed treatments, application of insecticides, biological regulation and breeding improvements will help to contain the Western Corn Rootworm. In order to improve and adapt control measures for Diabrotica including chemical and non chemical options for German conditions two substantial research programs were generated in cooperation of the German agricultural ministry (responsibility JKI) with the Free State of Bavaria (responsibility LfL).

DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2010.08.01, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2010.08.01

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Published

2010-08-01

Issue

Vol. 62 No. 8 (2010)

Section

Review