10A.4
The influence of meteorological factors on elevated flight by western corn rootworm beetles.
Scott A. Isard, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL; and J. Spencer, T. Mabry, and E. Levine
During the past decade, western corn rootworm (WCR) beetles inhabiting east-central Illinois have become resistant to crop rotation. Rotation-resistant WCR still feed and lay eggs in cornfields, but now make frequent flights into fields planted to other crops where they also feed and lay eggs. Most WCR flight occurs immediately above the plant canopy but some beetles fly much higher and encounter strong winds. The WCR strain resistant to crop rotation has spread very rapidly to the east across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and southern Ontario, but has advanced only slowly westward. This paper presents our latest information on seasonal patterns of high elevation flight in WCR and meteorological factors that govern the timing and intensity of these flights.
Session 10A, Aerobiology: Insects
Wednesday, 30 October 2002, 2:45 PM-4:15 PM
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