First data on the occurrence of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Greece

Abstract

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of cultivated corn in North America. It invaded Europe (Belgrade, Serbia) in the early 90s and since then it has rapidly dispersed to several European countries. In 2009, a survey, supported by the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food in several corn-producing prefectures of Greece, revealed the presence of D. virgifera virgifera for the fi rst time in the country. The survey included sampling of young plants, visual inspection of corn fields and deployment of pheromone traps. The western corn rootworm, which, during the survey, was recorded only in pheromone traps, was first detected in the area of Thessaloniki (northern Greece) in July 2009, and subsequently in Serres, Florina and Pieria prefectures. © Benaki Phytopathological Institute.