Biological safety research: Photos

Western corn rootworm

Introduced from the USA, the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera), a beetle measuring between just five and eight millimetres, has been spreading in Europe – in Eastern Europe since 1992, and since 1998 in Western Europe as well. The larvae of this maize pest in particular cause a large amount of damage. They eat the roots of the plants, weakening their stability until they eventually fall over. Genetically modified Bt maize which is resistant to Diabrotica is pending authorisation in Europe.
The photos on this page were taken in Hungary in 2003.

Diabrotica on the stem of a maize plant. The adult beetles hatch in the summer and survive until the first frost. They feed on plant parts above ground, preferring pollen and silks. Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download]

Western corn rootworm on the leaf of a maize plant. Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download]

Diabrotica larva. Most of the damage is caused by the Western corn rootworm larvae. They eat the roots, which weakens the plants’ stability. Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download]

Signs of beetle feeding damage on a leaf Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]

Adult beetles feeding on a maize cob. Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]

Beetles on a maize cob Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]

Beetle on the male flower, called the tassel Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]

Roots damaged by larvae. The first two larval stages feed on the fine roots, while older larvae penetrate into the main roots and stem. Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]

Diabrotica larvae Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]

Damaged roots next to a healthy root Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]

Maize plants that have collapsed as a result of Diabrotica feeding damage Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]

Maize plants that have collapsed as a result of Diabrotica feeding damage Source: Mihaly Czepo / www.biosicherheit.de [ Download] [ 300 dpi - high quality download for printing)]