First report of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in Belarus
The NPPO of Belarus recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. During a survey, 1 adult beetle was caught in a pheromone trap in August 2009. This trap was located in a maize field in the south of the Brest district (Brest region), 900 m from the point of entry ‘Tomashovka’ at the border with Poland. This location is also very close to the border with Ukraine. A focus zone of 1 km radius was delimited around the field where the insect was captured, as well a buffer zone of 40 km radius surrounding the focus zone. The focus zone was monitored with pheromone traps but no additional beetles were caught. Monitoring will continue in both the focus and buffer zones in 2010.
The situation of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in Belarus can be described as follows: Present, a single adult was caught for the first time in August 2009 in a maize field (south of the Brest district) close to the borders with Poland and Ukraine, under official control.
Sources
NPPO of Belarus, 2010-01.