D01.24 - Final report on biological control options of WCR in Europe (WP1 Task 3.5)

CABI04 D01.24 22OCT07 v01.00 by Emmanuel Muhr — last modified 22-10-2007 16:49

This report presents the most promising biological control strategies that may be considered for the suppression of D. v. virgifera populations in Europe. The conclusions presented in this document were derived from discussions and work carried out by international experts at two workshops. As an initial step, natural enemies of beetles in the subtribe Diabroticina were reviewed and subsequently, the most promising biological control strategies against D. v. virgifera for European maize production areas were determined. Based on these conclusions an action plan for harmonised and more efficient Diabrotica biological control in Europe was developed. Finally, this report proposes priority areas for a collaborative European research plan on the control of D. v. virgifera, focusing on biological control as a valuable component within an integrated management approach in European maize production systems.