Effects of Elevated CO<SUB>2</SUB> and O<SUB>3</SUB> on a Variant of the Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

Abstract Global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] increased 20% in the last century and is expected to increase another 48% by 2050. Surface concentrations of ozone [O3] also are increasing rapidly in agricultural areas of the northern hemisphere and are expected to increase another 20% by 2050. To better understand the combined impact of increased [CO2] and [O3] on crop production in the Midwest, we used a 32-ha experimental field planted with soybean (Glycines max L. Merr.). The field included sixteen 21.3-m-diameter plots using free air gas concentration enrichment (FACE) to simulate the changes in atmospheric composition forecast for 2050. We evaluated the impact of elevated [CO2] and [O3] singly and in combination on adult and egg densities of the variant western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. During 2003–2004, each of the four blocks included four plots, representing the four treatments (ambient atmospheric control, elevated [O3], elevated [CO2], and an elevated ...