Response of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Adults to Several Semiochemicals in Cornfields

Abstract

We conducted studies in corn fields to examine the response of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, beetles to slices of a bitter Cucurbita sp. fruit and microtubes containing either western corn rootworm sex pheromone or crude extracts of a bitter Cucurbita sp. stems and leaves. Sticky traps were used to measure beetle populations. Plots treated with Cucurbita sp. fruit slices or pheromone lures had significantly (P <0.05) higher catches than control plots for ca. 15 days after treatment. Foliage extract lures did not successfully attract beetles to a treated plot. Both sex pheromone lures and bitter Cucurbita sp. fruit may be useful to manage western corn rootworm populations in corn fields.