Natural enemies in control of invasive species Diabrotica virgifera Virgifera from maize crops

Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci. 2008;73(3):501-8.

Abstract

The invasive Diabrotico virgifera virgifera Le Conte (western corn rootworm) species has become a very important pest of maize growing areas from Europe. Incidence of this pest in Europe and Romania attract the specialist's attention and European organisms regarding substantial changes which save the yield. Current trends in control regard the using natural enemies' because non-pollutants effects. In this way it follows protection of useful scale from agroecosystems and their exploitation in control of invasive population. It were take the soil and surface samples for establish the presence of control biological agents. The maximum appearance period of invasive species (July, August) is very important in establishing the analogy with appearance of predator's species. From natural enemies of Diabrotica virgifera can be notice follow species: Speira diademata, Argiope bruennichi, Theridion impressum (Arachnida: Araneae), Coccinella sp., Pseudophomus rufipes (Insecta: Coleoptera). The spider species Argiope bruennichi (Araneae: Araneidae) and Theridion impressum (Araneae: Theriidae) are able to diminish significantly population of adults, especially in appearance of maize silk. The aim of the theme we approach is to find solutions to the issues created by invasive species Diabrotica virgifera virgifera using an ecological alternative of the chemical methods, as an-polluting biological methods. In a period when easily apply to chemical substances we consider that is absolutely necessary the introduction of these biological methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / methods
  • Animals
  • Cockroaches / classification
  • Cockroaches / growth & development*
  • Ecosystem
  • Europe
  • Larva
  • Pest Control, Biological / methods*
  • Plant Diseases / parasitology*
  • Pupa
  • Soil / parasitology*
  • Zea mays / parasitology*

Substances

  • Soil