Monitoring presence and advance of the alien invasive western corn rootworm beetle in eastern Slovenia with highly sensitive Metcalf traps.
The American Chrysomelid beetle Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (D.v.v.), also called the western corn rootworm, spread from the location of its original introduction into Europe, Belgrade airport (BACA 1993), in all directions. Within a decade it occupied almost all countries of South-eastern and Central Europe. However, it reached Slovenia as late as 2003: Only 19 specimen were found in maize fields of the eastern and also western provinces. Already in the summer of 2004, their number had risen to 386 which were mainly found in the eastern provinces near the borders to Croatia, Austria and Hungary. For their monitoring, a simple trap is being described which can be acquired in high numbers at a very low price and can guaranty a most sensitive detection of beetles. The Metcalf cup trap which in Slovenia so far has been unknown performed the task of monitoring quite well at five locations. It will also facilitate the future search for new and increasing infestations. Comparing 2004 with the year 2003, D.v.v. expanded its range in eastern Slovenia by about 15 km. These new infestations will include territories in which fields of the regionally Important oil seed pumpkin Cucurbita pepo are located. With important traffic connections between South-eastern and Central Europe, Slovenia will occupy a bridgehead function in the preventive protection of maize from D.v.v. spreading into more northerly European regions including western Austria and southern Germany.
Hummel
H E
HE
Justus-Liebig-University, Professorship for Organic Agriculture Karl-Glöckner-Str. 21 C, D-35394 Giessen, Germany. hans.e.hummel@agrar.uni-giessen.de
Urek
G
G
Modic
S
S
Hein
D F
DF
D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development*; D003710:Demography; D004772:Entomology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D017524:Slovenia; D003313:Zea mays / Q000469:parasitology*