The threat of maize cultivation by the pest Diabrotica virgifera (based on monitoring of selected communes in the Opole province)

Abstract

The maize area in Poland, growing year by year, creates ideal conditions for the development of many pests. The most dangerous of them is the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera Le Conte, which due to the specific way of feeding, causes very large crop losses. Until February 6, 2014, the pest had the status of a quarantine and invasive organism throughout the European Union, including Poland. The pest threat assessment was carried out in the years 2012-2013 in the area of two localities: Zopowa and Lubotyń (commune of Głubczyce and Kietrz), and then they were compared with monitoring research conducted by the State Plant Health and Seed Inspection in Głubczyce. The obtained results show, that the maize growing system had a significant impact on the occurrence of the pest. It has been found, that Diabrotica virgifera spreads faster in monoculture.

Keywords

• Diabrotica virgifera
• zachodnia kukurydziana stonka korzeniowa
• ochrona kukurydzy
• integrowana ochrona roślin