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.

Western corn rootworm is one of the most dangerous pests of maize, and both the larvae and the imagoes thereof may cause significant damage to the plants. The options of controlling these pests have recently become highly limited, thus creating a great demand for new control methods complying with sustainable plant protection. These requirements are met by the natural enemies of these pests, such as entomopathogenic nematodes (e.g. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Gerritsen, 1994). The objective of this study was to determine whether the viability and larvicide effect of a single injection into the soil of 2 billion nematodes using various amounts of water (50, 100 or 200 L/hectare) was maintained even with the lower quantities. Our studies proved that the entomopathogenic nematodes retain their viability and larvicide effect when applied using 50 L/ha of water. The efficacy of the biological agent did not differ from that of Force 1.5G, a product containing Tefluthrin as active ingredient, which was used as positive control.

New occurrences of the Origmatrachys gracilis (Hirschmann, 1976), Graecatrachys mesofovea (Hirschmann, 1976), and Arculatatrachys pomberoi Kontschán & Ermilov, 2022 are presented from Paraguay with the description of a new trachyuropodid mite species (Leonardiella aoao sp. nov.). This is the first report of the genus Leonardiella from Paraguay, from South America, and from continental America as well. The new species differs from the congeners in dorsal setation and ring-like, strongly sclerotized structures on the ventral idiosoma.

Herein, a new species, Pulchellaobovella brunszvikaesp. nov. (Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Urodinychidae), is described and illustrated based on two females and two males collected in Kenya. It is the second representative of the genus Pulchellaobovella in Africa. The new species differs from the already described Pulchellaobovella species in the presence of strongly sclerotized grooves on the dorsal shield, which are unique characters in this genus. A generic diagnosis and a new key to the known species are presented. Paper: http://www.zoobank.org/urn:LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:77E084D4-8256-4148-A500-4A336CCF4A8C New species: http://www.zoobank.org/urn:LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6C6EE41C-F38F-4242-8063-9441FE96A430.

Currently, only eight species of Monstrobovella are known from Southeast Asia and South America. In this paper, two new and unusual species of Monstrobovella are described from soil samples collected in Southeast Asia. Both species are characterized by the presence of long caudal setae on an elevated part of the dorsal shield. The first species, M. mandalaya sp. nov. from Myanmar, is distinguished by robust and marginally serrate setae on the central area of the dorsal shield. The second species, M. champa sp. nov. from Vietnam, also has very long caudal setae on the dorsal shield, which are twice as long as those of the first species, while the setae on the central area of the dorsal shield are narrow and smooth.

Three new species of the genus Hutufeideria are described from the Oriental region. The first species, H. perakensis sp. nov., was collected in Malaysia and differs from its congeners in the presence of a strongly sclerotized furrow on the dorsal shield and very long setae on the central area of the dorsal shield. The second species, H. sarawakensis sp. nov., was found in Sarawak (Malaysia) and differs from other species of the genus in the shape of the setae on the caudal part of the dorsal shield and the shape of the female genital shield. The third species, H. sumatraensis sp. nov., was collected from Sumatra (Indonesia) and has a tile-like sculptural pattern on the ventral shield; the dorsal shield is covered with large and irregular pits, and bears serrate setae on the caudal margins of the dorsal shield; these represent a unique character combination within the genus. Hutufeideriidae fam. nov. is diagnosed, with Hutufeideria as the type genus. A list of known species is provided.