Diabrotica

Diabrotica is a large, widespread genus of beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. Members of this genus include several destructive agricultural pest species, sometimes referred to as corn rootworms. There are an estimated 400 species grouped into the genus Diabrotica. Within Diabrotica there are 3 series: fucata, virgifera, and signifera groups. The fucata series contains the majority of Diabrotica diversity with 354 species. Fucata are characterized as multivoltine, producing two broods of offspring per year. The virgifera series comprises 24 species, and the signifera series contains 11. Additionally, virgifera and signifera are characterized as univoltine, and will only brood one set of offspring annually. There is very limited information on most species of Diabrotica. Majority of the research conducted on the Diabrotica genus focuses on investigating species of consequential economic importance, such as D. balteata, D. barberi, D. undecimpunctata howardi, D. virgifera, D. speciosa. Multiple Diabrotica species are considered major agricultural pests, therefore the control and management of populations is of significant importance to farm management strategies.