2nd Place: D3139: Impact of entomopathogenic nematodes and cover crops on western corn rootworm management and predatory arthropod communities

The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is the most threatening pest of continuous maize in Nebraska. Each year, this insect species costs U.S. growers over $2 billion in yield losses and management costs. Integrated pest management approaches for WCR management include a combination of cultural, chemical, transgenic, and biological control strategies. However, this pest has evolved resistance to many management strategies, including chemical insecticides and transgenic Bt traits. Therefore, biocontrol may be implemented to enhance and preserve the efficiency and longevity of existing control methods. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are able to actively seek, parasitize, and kill insect hosts in the soil. In addition, adoption of cover crops can promote growth of beneficial insect populations (predators) that live on the soil surface and below-ground. An on-farm experiment was conducted to determine if the application of EPNs and the adoption of cover crops can improve pest management. To test this, the following factors were measured: establishment and persistence of entomopathogenic nematodes in the soil; root feeding injury from WCR larvae; and the emergence of beetles. These data will allow us to assess the potential for biological control to minimize threats from critical insect pests, ensuring sustainability and economic viability of maize production in Nebraska.