Agricultural and Forest Entomology (2018) 20, 288-297

Maja Cacija, Antonela Kozina, Jasminka Igrc Barcic and Renata Bazok (2018)
Linking climate change and insect pest distribution: an example using Agriotes ustulatus Shall. (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Agricultural and Forest Entomology 20 (2), 288-297
Abstract: - Agriotes ustulatus (Schaller, 1873) (Coleoptera: Elateridae) is an economically important agricultural pest. Recently, changes in the distribution and abundance of this species in Croatia have been established.
- The present study aimed: (i) to determine the abundance and dominance of A. ustulatus in four regions in Croatia; (ii) to test the effect of temperature and rainfall on dominance and distribution; and (iii) to determine the flight activity of the A. ustulatus adults (peak and swarming period).
- From 2001 until 2010, five Agriotes species were captured by pheromone traps placed in 17 fields within four counties. Differences in air temperature and rainfall were determined between regions.
- The highest dominance of A. ustulatus was recorded in the warmest eastern county and the species was classified as eudominant. High dominance was also observed in the western county, confirming that A. ustulatus occurs in higher population in this area. Species was subdominant where the mean air temperature was the lowest.
- The increase in dominance in the west could be explained by the significant positive correlation found between air temperature and dominance.
- The seasonal activity of the adults was from June to mid-August, with peak flight at the end of June.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Maja Cacija, Renata Bazok

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Agriotes ustulatus