The western corn rootworm (also known as Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) is the nightmare of all maize farmers. Until 2014, insecticides from the neonicotinoid group were used to keep its spread in check. Following the ban of these pesticides because they are harmful to bees, the problem has intensified out of all proportion.
We have developed and registered the first ever sprayable pheromone (pherolit®-d) for protecting maize plants by using the naturally derived female pheromone of Diabrotica v. v. for large-scale use on maize crops. Using lithos micro dispenser® technology a carrier allows slow release of the pheromone to bring about seasonal disruption of mating.
The pheromone pherolit®-d confuses the male beetles so that they are disturbed in their reproductive behaviour. This means fewer eggs are produced in the following year, causing less damage to the maize crop as a result.
The active ingredient pherolit®-d is currently undergoing EU-wide approval. Applying for approval has involved a large number of studies and field trials being carried out so far. The next step is a product approval. Our newsletter keeps you up-to-date on the progress of our product developments:
Don’t worry – we only send a few short updates per year, on topics related to natural crop protection, research and our solutions.
We are researching more solutions for natural crop protection. Using our patented lithos micro dispenser® technology as a base, we are working with partners on new opportunities and applications.
Don’t worry – we only send a few short updates per year, on topics related to natural crop protection, research and our solutions.
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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