JAPANESE-BEETLE (POPILLIA-JAPONICA) DISPERSAL BEHAVIOR IN INTERCROPPED VS MONOCULTURE SOYBEAN AGROECOSYSTEMS

Rates of dispersal and patterns of movement of the Japanese beetle, Po pillia japonica Newman, were investigated in monoculture soybean and i n intercropped soybean/sorghum agroecosystems. Marked and unmarked pop ulations of Japanese beetles were monitored using trap and direct obse rvation census methods in a replicated field research design. Signific antly lower densities of Japanese beetles were found in the intercropp ed treatment compared to the monoculture treatment. Rates of dispersal were also significantly decreased in the intercropped treatment. Resu lts suggest that inter-cropping should be a component of integrated pe st management in the control of a generalist herbivore species such as the Japanese beetle.