Western corn rootworm Diabrotica v. virgifera in Europe: status, and options for future management

Diabrotica virgifero virgifera (Col.: Chrysomelidae) (western corn rootworm, WCR) unfortunately is now a firmly established European maize pest without indigenous natural enemies. Twenty years after its first introduction into Europe by traffic and trade, eradication is wishful thinking and not longer a viable option. Instead, European legislation calls for toxicological emergency measures on a case by case basis where and when new infestations occur either by new invasions from the native Americas or by introductions from other European countries. It is unclear at which point in time such treatment systems will break down because of development of resistant strains or by other complications of this seemingly unstable situation. Rather than proceeding as usual, sustainable biological, biotechnical and cultural methods should be practiced. Prominent among them are trapping and survey with attractants in conjunction with traditional crop rotation and phytosanitation.