Bulletin of Insectology (2017) 70, 63-68

Mario Schumann, Bianca Tappe, Wade French and Stefan Vidal (2017)
Semi field trials to evaluate undersowings in maize for management of western corn rootworm larvae
Bulletin of Insectology 70 (1), 63-68
Abstract: Western corn rootworm larvae (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) need to feed on maize roots after hatching from overwintering eggs. It was hypothesized that the roots of undersown plants mixed with maize roots disrupt the host finding of the larvae, lowering their survival and subsequently reducing larval densities. Six undersowings (perennial rye grass, Italian ryegrass, a mixture of Italian ryegrass and white clover, white clover, yellow mustard and sunflower) were tested with a standard maize cultivar under semi field conditions. The larval density per plant was determined by extracting the larvae from the root core of the maize plants with a Kempson extraction system at the end of larval development. Contrary to the hypothesis only sunflower caused a significant reduction in larval densities, whereas white clover as an undersowing resulted in a significantly higher larval density than in the control. In conclusion, undersowings generally do not provide an alternative control measure against western corn rootworm larvae. Sunflowers mixed with maize plants indicate a promising option as an additional control measure, but would have to be tested under field conditions to confirm its potential for western corn rootworm management.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Mario Schumann, Stefan Vidal

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

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