Distribution of adult emergence for northern corn rootworms is affected by soil-mediated changes in the distribution of the soil dwelling immature stages from the time eggs are deposited until the damaging larval populations occur. Because of the influence of the soil environment on the survival of the immature stages of corn rootworm, we have hypothesized that measurable soil properties, such as soil electrical conductivity, may be used as ancillary variables to predict where corn rootworms are most likely to survive and cause economic loss. The distribution of rootworm eggs in the soil, larval injury to corn roots, and emergence patterns of adult corn rootworms in relation to landscape position and soil electrical conductivity are discussed with reference to prospects for the site-specific management of corn rootworms. These results suggest that the complexity of insect pest/soil interactions and field-to-field variability are such that a multivariate approach rather than use of a single ancillary variable or predictor such as soil electrical conductivity may be necessary to identify within-field zones for site specific management of insect pests in the soil environment.
Species 1: Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Diabrotica barberi (northern corn rootworm)
Keywords: SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT, SOIL ECOLOGY
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