WILDE, Gerald E.
Kansas State University, USA

Studies were conducted in Kansas corn and soybean fields during 1997 comparing various sampling methods, traps, and trap components for capturing three species of adult corn rootworms: western (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Leconte), southern (D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber), and northern (D. barberi Smith and Lawrence).  Lure constituents affected the species of beetle attracted to the trap. Traps with a lure containing 4-methoxy cinnamaldehyde attracted more western corn rootworms, those with a lure containing eugenol were more attractive to northern corn rootworms, and those containing trans-cinnamaldehyde were most attractive to southern corn rootworms. Multigard sticky traps caught more beetles than did Pherocon AM sticky traps.  In corn, a newly designed lure trap caught more beetles than did sticky traps on most occasions.  Also, lure-baited sticky traps caught more beetles than non-baited sticky traps.  Varying the color of the trap bottom did not affect the number caught.  In soybeans, the new lure traps captured more beetles than the non-baited Multigard or Pherocon AM sticky traps.  Results of this study suggest the new lure trap may provide a more accurate assessment of corn rootworm populations than traditional monitoring techniques and may be more aesthetically pleasing to growers and consultants.