PNW0662

December 31, 2013

Western corn rootworm (xDiabrotica virgifera virgifera) is a notorious corn pest for much of the continental United States. Although it isn't as abundant in the Pacific Northwest, isolated infestations can be relatively severe. To preclude its development in the region, this publication discusses how to identify and manage small outbreaks. After describing the pest's basic characteristics, it details management practices such as crop rotation, monitoring, insecticide use and resistance management, the pros and cons of using resistant corn hybrids and the efficacy of using natural enemies (like ants, pathogenic nematodes or fungal pathogens).

Authors: Alexzandra F. Murphy, Silvia I. Rondon, Carrie H. Wohleb, Steve Hines

7 pages