First report of Diabrotica virgifera in Slovenia
Since 1997, national surveys on Diabrotica virgifera (EPPO A2 pest) have been carried out in Slovenia. In 2003, at the end of June, pheromone and yellow sticky traps were placed in pairs at 58 localities. At the end of July, the first specimens of D. virgifera were caught in the region of Pomurje (eastern part of Slovenia), and as a consequence additional traps were placed. In total, 62 localities were regularly monitored (every 7 to 10 days) from July until the end of maize harvest (due to very dry weather conditions, harvest was finished by the end of August). At the end of this period, D. virgifera was found both in the eastern part (regions of Pomurje and Podravje: along the borders with Croatia and Hungary) and in the western part of Slovenia (region of Northern Primorska, near the city Nova Gorica and the Italian border). In total, 19 specimens were caught, 15 in the eastern part, and 4 in the western part. Infestation is still low, but the pest is expected to spread from both sides to the central part of Slovenia. It is recalled that the most important maize-growing area is on the West. This is the first record of D. virgifera in Slovenia. The situation of D. virgifera in Slovenia can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2003 in the regions of Pomurje and Podravje (bordering Croatia and Hungary) and Northern Primorska (near Nova Gorica).
Sources
NPPO of Slovenia, 2003-11.