Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera) - Biological control with entomopathogenic nematodes

This video shows, how benefical nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) control larvae of the Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera).

The insect pest
The Western Corn rootworm is an invasive pest in maize cultivation. In the USA it causes a yearly damage of more than 1 billion US$. Since its introduction in 1992 in Serbia the Western Corn Rootworm invaded large parts of Middle and Eastern Europe.

The damage
Yields can be severely reduced due to root damage. All larval stages feed on roots, which can result in plant lodging. Subsequent acropetal growth leads to the typical "gooseneck" symptom. In seed and sweet corn production damage can also occur when adults feed on the silk, which reduces pollination and causes irregular development of kernels.

Mode of action
The product dianem® is based on the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Dauer juveniles of these nematodes actively search for Diabrotica larvae and pupae in the soil. Three days after invasion the insects die. Dead insect turn orange-red. The nematodes propagate inside the insect cadaver. After two weeks, thousands of new generations infective nematode dauer juveniles emerge and hunt for the surviving larva and pupae.

Advantages of dianem®
The nematodes attack only soil-dwelling insects
They are safe for plants, users, consumers and the environment
They cause no harm to bees or earthworms
The nematodes are exempted from regulation in the most EU countries and the USA
They can be applied with conventional spraying technologie

Efficacy
Results of more than 10 years field-testing in Hungary, Austria and Italy has demonstrated that dianem® is equally effective when compared with chemical insecticides. It reduces root damage and particularly adult emergence. In many cases dianem® was superior in the reduction of adult emergence, why the repeated use of dianem® is best suited for long-term reduction of Corn Rootworm populations. When crop rotation is not an alternative, dianem® is the best choise for an effective and environmentally safe control management strategy.

https://www.dianem.de
https://www.e-nema.de/en
Video: Prof. Dr. Urs Wyss (http://www.entofilm.com)