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Glite Dictionary
Diabrotica

Diabrotica

1 9.9
A group of beetles that includes kinds that damage crops like corn and cucumbers
  • proper noun
  • /ˌdaɪəˈbrɒtɪkə/
  • Specialized
: Diabrotica
  • The farmer identified the Diabrotica as a severe threat to his pumpkin harvest.

Examples

  • Baum and colleagues (2007) developed GM corn plants that resisted the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

    Academic text (2013)

  • Scientists are studying the Diabrotica beetles to develop better pest control methods.

  • 1 billion dollar buck Diabrotica virgifera will be a huge problem in Germany because we have vast corn cultivation for the purpose of biogas production.

    Blog text (14)

  • In fields across the Midwest, Diabrotica species can devastate corn crops if left unmanaged.

Surface Forms

Diabrotica main

Etymology

Diabrotica is a scientific name for a group of beetles, and a helpful way to remember it is to think of dia- 'through' and brot- which sounds like 'bite' or 'eat'. So picture little beetles that 'bite through' plants, which fits because they are pests that eat crops like corn and cucumbers.