EU project on Diabrotica virgifera virgifera
An EU project on Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been set up and is entitled 'The threat to maize production in the EU by the invasive quarantine pest, Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera): a new sustainable crop management approach'. This 3-year research project involves 7 European countries and can be divided into 4 parts:
- Ecology of the pest (host plant relationships, hosts preferences of adults and larvae)
- Field monitoring of pest populations and design of crop rotations to be incorporated in sustainable crop management programmes.
- Survey for natural enemies of D. virgifera virgifera in Europe and in the area of origin which could be used as biocontrol agents.
- Analysis of potential dispersal rate and risk of further establishment of D. virgifera virgifera in Europe, especially in the EU.
Sources
Kuhlmann, U.; Vidal, S; (1999) EU shared-cost RTD action on western corn rootworm: objectives, project workplan, and expected achievements.
Paper presented at the 4th meeting of the EPPO ad hoc Panel on Diabrotica virgifera and 6th International IWGO Workshop on Diabrotica virgifera (Paris, 1999-11-04/05)
EPPO Secretariat, 2000-04.