Tropical Biomedicine (2017) 34, 224-236

S. Maryam, N. Fadzly and W.F. Zuharah (2017)
Abundance, distribution and dispersal time of Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) and its association to human settings
Tropical Biomedicine 34 (1), 224-236
Abstract: Rove beetle (Paederus spp.) is of medical interest because it causes nasty skin lesion in humans known as Paederus dermatitis. In addition, Paederus is gaining notoriety as urban pests in human-populated areas. This study aimed to determine some factors and conditions controlling the beetle's abundance, distribution and dispersal time along with the rice field towards human setting. Flight dispersion of P. fuscipes towards a light trap was studied for two cycles of the rice cultivation phase; main rice season (October 2013 – March 2014) and off rice season (March 2014 – October 2014) at an infestation-prone area in Mainland Penang, Malaysia. The effects of rice cultivation phases and variable environmental conditions were considered to further understand the abundance, distribution and dispersal time of P. fuscipes. As shown in the present work, the number of beetles was higher in warmer and humid months, especially during the off season of the rice cultivation phase. The greatest abundance of the beetle towards residential premises was primarily seen during the rice harvesting stage. Peak time of P. fuscipes flight was observed starting at 20:45 hours, with threshold temperature 25–27°C and relative humidity 84–94% RH. P. fuscipes were capable of flying under marginally windy conditions. However, windless night favour most P. fuscipes flights.
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Database assignments for author(s): Wan Fatma Zuharah

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
population dynamics/ epidemiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Paederus fuscipes		Malaysia