Australian Journal of Entomology (1996) 35, 279-283

Graham J. Floater (1996)
Estimating movement of the processionary caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer Herrich-Schäffer (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) between discrete resource patches
Australian Journal of Entomology 35 (3), 279-283
Abstract: Larval dispersal is an important component of the population ecology of many lepidopteran species. However, measuring dispersal in the field is notoriously difficult, labour-intensive and often expensive. An indirect method for estimating larval dispersal is outlined. Frass and exuviae of processionary caterpillars, O. lunifer, present at the base of host trees are used to estimate the number of migration events to and from trees in a season. Estimates using this method compared favourably with estimates from a mark-recapture method. The technique can be used to estimate rates of dispersal at a large number of localities by a single researcher, allowing dispersal to be compared between different populations.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ochrogaster lunifer	Acacia (crop)	Australia (NT+QLD)