Pest Management Science (2014) 70, 642-650

Mario Schumann, Anant Patel, Marina Vemmer and Stefan Vidal (2014)
The role of carbon dioxide as an orientation cue for western corn rootworm larvae within the maize root system: implications for an attract-and-kill approach
Pest Management Science 70 (4), 642-650
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Western corn rootworm larvae use CO₂ to locate maize roots. However, the importance of CO₂ as a specific orientation cue close to maize roots has not been investigated unequivocally. This study aimed at elucidating the effect of CO₂-emitting capsules in combination with a soil insecticide (Tefluthrin = attract and kill) within the root system. We hypothesized that the capsules would result in aggregation of the larvae at the soil insecticide, thus increasing its efficacy. A nondestructive observation device was used to study larval distribution and behaviour.
RESULTS
Spatial analysis of distance indices (SADIE) revealed aggregation of the larvae around the capsules in an attract-and-kill treatment after 4 h, which was not found with the conventional treatment without the capsules. However, larval mortality did not differ between treatments.
CONCLUSION
CO₂ is a weak attractant for western corn rootworm larvae within the root system. Consequently, an attract-and-kill strategy based on a CO₂ product will not contribute to better control compared with conventional Tefluthrin applications. Host-specific compounds, combined with a CO₂ source, should be used to target more larvae, making attract and kill a feasible management option against this pest.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Mario Schumann, Stefan Vidal

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Diabrotica virgifera	Maize/corn (Zea mays)