Western Corn Rootworm Gatecrashes Germany
August 31, 2007| |
The western corn rootworm has landed - in Germany. One of the most dangerous corn pest in the world was sighted recently in a field in the Ortenau region of Baden in southern Germany. Two more adult rootworm beetles were observed in neighboring Alsace in early August. Persistent populations of this corn pest have also become established in Austria, Switzerland and France.
The insect has been classified as a quarantine pest in the European Union because of the enormous economic damage it causes. To control the spread of the corn rootworm, farmers use insecticides. Another strategy, though still not available to farmers in Europe, involves genetic modification of the corn seed. No genetically modified variety with resistance to rootworm has been given regulatory approval in the European Union so far.
The experts are unable to say how serious the threat is in Germany at the moment. In the longer term, however, it will probably not be possible to stop the rootworm completely.
To read more about the western corn rootworm, visit: http://www.bayercropscience.com/bayer/cropscience/cscms.nsf/id/EN_2007_NST-032?open&ccm=400.
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