A MIGRATION STUDY OF STELIDOTA-GEMINATA (COLEOPTERA, NITIDULIDAE)

The strawberry sap beetle, Stelidota geminata (Say) is a major pest of strawberries in the northeastern United States. Further knowledge of the migratory habits of this insect pest can enhance the effectiveness of pest management strategies. This nitidulid was shown to migrate fr om its overwintering sites to one of its primary reproductive sites, s trawberry fields, in late May. The beetle population peaked in the thi rd week in July, 1993 in the strawberry field and then gradually decli ned. In 1994, the peak, as well as the total population, was much grea ter than in 1993. Furthermore, S. geminata was concentrated in the tra nsition areas surrounding the strawberry fields prior to the ripening of the fruit.