Possibilities for biological control of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, in Central Europe

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, was introduced to Europe from North America in the early 1990s. It spread rapidly from its site of introduction in Serbia and is now found over some 400,000 ha of southeastern Europe. The prospects for its classical biological control by introduction of natural enemies, including pathogens, nematodes and insects, from its area of origin are considered, based on a review of natural enemy–Diabrotica associations in the New World. The need for an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy is highlighted, and initial monitoring and management programmes in central Europe are described. Research looking at the possibility of using augmentation and conservation biological control techniques, and behavioural control measures based on attractants and pheromones being conducted at various centres in Europe are also described. BiocontrolNews and Information 1998 Vol. 19 No. 2 59N–68N