The presented study introduces the most common and significant insect pests of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in Slovakia, specifically the occurrence of the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) and the American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus). Historical records set prerequisites to studying the complex interactions between the pests and their host plant. If they are not understood sufficiently, they may have devastating consequences on the grape-growing. The research was carried out in the model vineyards in Jelenec, Ladice and Topoľčianky during the period from April to September 2019 and 2021. Jelenec and Ladice had six monitoring sites, Topoľčianky had seven monitoring sites. Data were collected in approximately 30-day cycles. The aim of research was to monitor the incidence of insect pests in selected vineyards and identify their relation to environmental conditions. Pheromone traps were used throughout the research. The insect traps in combination with species-specific pheromone represent a reliable method for the pest monitoring. Based on aim studying the link between insect pests and climate conditions, traps were dispersed at the place of installation of the microclimatic dataloggers and the automatic stations. Data on the occurrence of the pests were subsequently evaluated in the context of the climate variability (temperature, wind speed, precipitation) and distance of the locality from the forest using Redundancy Analysis. It was confirmed that the insect pests are unequally distributed in the studied region and also inside the vineyards. Using Redundancy Analysis, we were able to explain the bonds in a maximum of 40% insect pests-environmental factors relationships. This research results show the need for regular monitoring of insect species, taking into account microclimatic as well as other ecological factors to optimize agrotechnical interventions. URL: https://www.gcass.science.upjs.sk/

The western corn rootworm (WCR) (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte; Chrysomelidae) is one of the most significant maize pests in Europe, with farmers spending a substantial amount (approximately 140 EUR) on its control. In the context of climate change, WCRs could pose an even greater threat to EU maize production, particularly as the European Union continues to withdraw an increasing number of effective yet environmentally harmful active agents. Biological control methods have now emerged to the forefront in creating sustainable agriculture. In this review, we carried out an extensive literature analysis on methods for forecasting WCRs and evaluated the practical applicability of the latest non-chemical control methods targeting its larvae. Effective forecasting is essential for successful pest management, enabling informed planning and the selection of the most suitable control methods. Several traditional predicting techniques remain in use today, but recent advancements have introduced modern electronic forecasting units combined with sensor-equipped pheromone and colour traps, as well as thermal sum calculations. Research has demonstrated that crop rotation is one of the most effective methods for controlling WCR larvae. Biological agents, such as entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bossiana and Mettarrhyzum anasoplia), entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora), and botanical insecticides such as azadirachtin can significantly reduce larval populations and root damage, thereby maintaining infestation levels below the economic threshold. Genetically modified maize plants that produce specific toxins, along with conventional breeding efforts to increase root system regeneration, are also promising tools for the sustainable management of this pest. This review summarizes the solutions for prediction of western corn rootworm infestations and non-chemical control of its larvae. Accurate forecasting methods provide a clear picture of infestation levels in a given area, enabling precisely targeted control measures. In all cases, the control should be directed primarily against the larvae, thereby reducing root damage and reducing the size of the emerging imago population. This review demonstrates that biological control methods targeting larvae can be as effective as pesticides, supporting sustainable pest management.

Considerable damage caused by the red-belted clearwing was observed in the biologically controlled apple orchard. In all cases, the larvae were found in the tumourlike tissue proliferations developing at the grafting point of the rootstock (M9) and scion, while no larva was found in crowns and cut surfaces. Samplings involving different cultivars were implemented in two apple orchards; in Bősárkány, where trees are grafted on M9 rootstocks and tumours were found at grafting points, and in Mosonmagyaróvár, where trees are grafted on M26 rootstocks and no proliferations were found at graft unions. During the aforementioned samplings, the numbers of larvae living in the tissue proliferations were counted, the sizes of tumours were measured, and the flight dynamic of adult clearwings was investigated. Research results reveal that damage caused by the clearwing larvae was only observed in trunks with tumour-like disorders (Bősárkány), where feeding larvae were found in 15.3% of the examined trunks in cultivar Royal Gala, 4.6% in Idared, 2.6% in Jonagold, and 1.3% in Florina. We investigated whether there is a correlation between the size of tumours and the degree of damage. The highest rate of proliferations was found on cultivar Florina, where only a minimum degree of damage was experienced. The lowest rate of proliferations was observed on cultivar Gala, which suffered the highest degree of damage done by clearwing larvae.According to sex-pheromone trap catches, the flight period of male clearwings occurred simultaneously in both studied orchards from mid-May to mid-August. On the basis of scent trap catch results, however, it has to be highlighted that females were only present at the Bősárkány research site.It is assumed that the absence of females in the Mosonmagyaróvár orchard can be attributed to the fact that they did not find such suitable oviposition sites as tissue proliferations. Hence, egg-laying and damage caused by the larvae did not happen there either.