ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF LONG-TERM LIGHT TRAP DATA FOR HELICOVERPA-PUNCTIGERA (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE) IN AUSTRALIA - POPULATION-CHANGES AND FORECASTING PEST PRESSURE
D. Maelzer et al., ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF LONG-TERM LIGHT TRAP DATA FOR HELICOVERPA-PUNCTIGERA (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE) IN AUSTRALIA - POPULATION-CHANGES AND FORECASTING PEST PRESSURE, Bulletin of entomological research, 86(5), 1996, pp. 547-557
Using regression analysis the early season dynamics of Helicoverpa pun
ctigera (Wallengren) were determined from long series of light trap ca
tches (10-19 years) from three sites in Australia (Narrabri and Trangi
e in New South Wales, and Turretfield in South Australia). The size of
the second spring generation (G(2), the one causing major pest proble
ms in summer cropping regions) was strongly related to the size of the
first spring generation (G(1)). In most cases, rainfall in early wint
er had a positive influence on the size of G(2), whereas rainfall in s
pring had a negative effect. Regressions were found to account for 49
to 93% of the annual variation in G(2), depending on site. The use of
light trap catches ana weather data to forecast pest levels from a few
months to a few weeks in advance is discussed, along with the improve
d understanding of early season H. punctigera dynamics.