A beetle (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) whose larvae feed on maize roots, causing lodging and yield loss, while adults feed on silks and foliage. Native to Central America, it spread through the United States Corn Belt over the twentieth century and reached Europe in the 1990s, and it is notable for repeatedly evolving resistance to crop rotation, insecticides and genetically modified Bt maize traits.
Facts
Connections
Associated With
Maize, Crops The western corn rootworm, dubbed the 'billion dollar bug,' is the most economically damaging insect pest of maize in North America.
Sources
1. Western Corn Rootworm (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOpening definition paragraph
The Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is one of the most devastating corn rootworm species in North America, especially in the midwestern corn-growing areas such as Iowa. A related species, the Northern corn rootworm, D. barberi, co-inhabits in much of the range and is fairly similar in biology.
lead description
A beetle (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) whose larvae feed on maize roots, causing lodging and yield loss, while adults feed on silks and foliage.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.