Field Data on the Presence of Spiders Preying on Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) in Szeged Region, Hungary

Tóth, F. and Horváth, L. and Komáromi, J. and Kiss, J. and Széll, E. (2002) Field Data on the Presence of Spiders Preying on Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) in Szeged Region, Hungary. Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica, 37 (1-3). pp. 163-168. ISSN 0238-1249

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Abstract

The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is a new pest of corn in Europe. Future management may include the use of natural enemies. Our study focused on the deter­mi­na­tion of density and species composition of spiders in corn fields, as well as in the adjacent corn field margins, during the peak flight period of WCR adults. An additional objective was to test different sampling methods, used for spider collecting, in corn fields and in adjacent corn field margins. The field study was conducted in July and August, 1999, in experimental corn plots, as well as in the adjacent field margins, owned by the Cereal Research Institute, Szeged, in Southern Hungary. Spiders were collected by individual plant search and by sweep nets. Number of spiders /m2 was significantly higher, whereas /m3 was significantly lower in the corn plots compared to the adjacent field margins. Remnants of WCR adults were found in theridiid [Theridion impressum L. Koch, T. pictum (Walckenaer), Enoplognatha latimana Hippa and Oksala] and agelenid (Agelena sp.) webs. We observed that individuals of both families were able to kill 1-5 adult beetles within 90 minutes.

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