Surveying and monitoring western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) in England Wales

摘要

The pest risk assessment for western corn rootworm {Diabrotica virgifera vergifera) indicated that this species could become established on maize crops in southern England, but it was unlikely to cause significant economic damage. The first beetle wascaught on 28 August 2003, in a maize field near London Heathrow airport. In 2003, c. 350 pheromone traps were placed on 80 farms and 92 adults were trapped. In 2004, c. 1,700 traps were placed in maize fields throughout the UK, including the demarcatedzones near Heathrow and Gatwick airports. In total, 87 adults were caught in 2004, but despite extensive trapping there were no findings on new farms, either in the existing focus zones or in the rest of the country. Commission Decision 2003/766/EC was followed in respect of the UK incursions, as far as was practicable. Crop rotation, delayed harvest of the affected area in relation to maize in the surrounding area, and chemical treatments, were all required; additional trapping was also done. Some measures however, such as the ban on moving harvested material, could not be applied in the agronomic systems operated by many growers in Southeast England.