HOST PLANTS FOR THE WESTERN CORN ROOTWORM DIABROTICA VIRGIFERA VIRGIFERA (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

The western corn rootworm found favourable life conditions in Europe. Proof for that is the changing population dynamics starting with the 90's up to present times. Due to its spreading and to the damage it can do to corn, certain measures to eradicate the pest are necessary. If no measures are undertaken, the damage to the maize crops can be considerable. Applying the correct pest control measures depends on certain factors, including the knowledge about alternative host plants. In our paper we investigated, in field conditions, the presence of already existing Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte populations on various weeds one can find in a maize field, such as Agropyron repens, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa crus-galli, Setaria glauca, Setaria verticillata, Setaria viridis and Sorghum halepense. We also tested, under the same circumstances, two cultivated plants Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare.