Situation of Diabrotica virgifera in Hungary
At the end of June 1995, the first adult of Diabrotica virgiferea (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was caught in Csongrad county, near the Serbian border (see EPPO RS 95/157) in a cucurbitacin trap. Later in August, D. virgifera was caught in sex pheromone traps, at four other sites along the border with Serbia and also with Romania. However, D. virgifera has not been found in Romania. Monitoring of pest populations in the south of Hungary will certainly continue during the next maize-growing season.
In addition, a sex pheromone trap has been designed in Hungary. It is specific for D. virgifera and more attractive than the cucurbitacin trap. This trap is transparent in order not to attract other non-target pests. Several types of traps have been designed, triangular or flat traps (but they use the same chemical substance). Flat traps appear to be more efficient. Hungary is ready to sell these traps at cost-production price to countries which are at risk and want to implement a monitoring programme for D. virgifera.
Sources
International Workshop "Western Corn Rootworm in Europe 95, Gödöllö (HU), 1995-11-08.