Journal of Applied Entomology (2005) 129, 293-299

H. Puche, T.J. Weissling, R. Schnell, N.D. Epsky and R.R. Heath (2005)
Estimating dispersal rate of the silky cane weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Journal of Applied Entomology 129 (6), 293-299
Abstract: The objective of this study was to estimate the silky cane weevil rate of dispersal under near-natural conditions inside a screened enclosure where an array of buckets was baited with cut sugarcane stalks. One hundred weevils were released and weevils inside the buckets were counted hourly for 8 h, and then 24 and 48 h after release. A passive diffusion model was used to estimate the weevil's dispersal and disappearance rates, within and between rows of buckets with sugarcane. The weevils concentrated around the release point and slowly moved towards the boundaries of the experimental plot over time with an overall average dispersal rate of 2.8 ± 3.58 cm²/h. Dispersal and disappearance rates within and between rows were not significantly different among the time intervals considered (1-8, 8-24 and 24-8 h after release) except for the 1-8 time interval on the array representing the release point when the dispersal rate, D, was significantly higher than those at other time intervals. Continuum of the substratum to disperse from one side of the array to another via a wooden bridge may explain the higher dispersal rate through this array. The number of buckets exposed to the sun during the morning hours was significantly higher on those rows exposed to the sun (south side of the screen enclosure) than on the shaded side. Longer times of bucket exposure to the sun may explain the predominant distribution of weevils in that area suggesting that the weevil population is constantly expanding and retracting according to micro environmental conditions.
(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): Nancy D. Epsky

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Metamasius hemipterus	Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)