Semiochemicals for Controlling Corn Rootworm

摘要

New technology is urgently needed to replace the widespread use of soilinsecticides applied at planting time to control corn rootworms. Illinois farmers annually treat about 7 million acres of corn with toxic insecticides to control these pests. The cost effectiveness of this technology has steadily decreased while environmental problems such as groundwater pollution are of increasing concern. The use of semiochemical baits for the control of adult corn rootworms holds great promise as an alternate and superior technology. The report discusses progress that has been made in developing formulated baits containing cucurbitacin feeding stimulant and long range volatile attractants that can provide nearly 100% control of adult corn rootworms at oviposition time while reducing the amount of insecticide by greater than 95%. This new technology was given an experimental use permit by the Federal EPA this summer (1990). Development of a formulation with increased residual activity is needed before farmers can implement this tactic.