Changes in abundance of larvae and adults of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) and other white grub species in Northwest Arkansas and their relation to regional temperatures

Authors

  • B. M. Petty Arecibo Observatory (USRA), National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612
  • D. T. Johnson Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, 319 Agriculture Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
  • D. C. Steinkraus Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, 319 Agriculture Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

Keywords:

Japanese beetle, abiotic factor, drought, heat

Abstract

The Japanese beetle is a relatively new pest in Arkansas that damages turfgrass, horticultural plants, and fruit crops. From 2005 to 2012, P. japonica mean weekly trap capture declined 98%. Previous studies showed there were few microbial and parasitoid natural enemies of P. japonica in the region, so fluctuations in P. japonica populations are likely due to abiotic factors, such as extremes of summer drought and heat along this invasive species’ southwestern border.

 

Sumario

El escarabajo japonés es una plaga relativamente nueva en Arkansas que causa daño al césped, las plantas hortícolas y cultivos frutales. Del 2005 a 2012, el promedio de los P. japonica capturados en trampas semanales se redujo 98%. Estudios previos mostraron que hay unos pocos enemigos naturales microbiano y parasitoides de P. japonica en la región, por lo que las fluctuaciones en las poblaciones de P. japonica son probablemente debido a factores abióticos, tales como los extremos de sequía del verano y del calor a lo largo de la frontera suroeste de esta especie invasora.

 

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Author Biographies

D. T. Johnson, Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, 319 Agriculture Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

Department of Entomology

D. C. Steinkraus, Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, 319 Agriculture Building, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

Department of Entomology

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Issue

Vol. 98, No. 3 (September 2015)

Section

Scientific Notes

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