The Canadian Entomologist (2013) 145, 20-28
Gilles Boiteau and Pamela MacKinley (2013)
Dispersal of adult Colorado potato beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on plant models
The Canadian Entomologist 145 (1), 20-28
Abstract: Five artificial plant models mimicking potato plants, each having different and increasing numbers of structural components, were used to observe individual adult Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say); Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) over a period of 6 hours. The objective was to determine if plant architecture affected residency time, within plant dispersal, and distribution of the species. The number of transitions between sections, the time spent on each section, the residency time on each model, and the proportion of individuals walking off were recorded. Results showed a positive relationship between the proportion of beetles remaining after 6 hours and the number of connections on respective models. The unexpectedly long residency on all but the simplest model in spite of the absence of food indicates that architectural complexity had an impact on beetle retention. Dispersal activity and residency time were heavily skewed towards the top of models. Beetles exposed to positive light gradients of different intensities and a negative light gradient showed that a phototactic response could explain much of the dispersal pattern to the upper model sections. Results show that manipulation of plant structure remains an option for managing the beetle but will require further research on the contribution of heterogeneity and scale to residency time.
(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): Gilles Boiteau
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leptinotarsa decemlineata |
