Studies on the Biological Control of Rumex obtusifolius L., a Grassland weed, by Gastrophysa atrocyanea MoTs. (Colleopptera : Chrysomelidae) : II. Dispersal of Overwintered Adult Insects
- 1 January 1979
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Japanese Society of Applied Entomology & Zoology in Applied Entomology and Zoology
- Vol. 14 (1) , 51-55
- https://doi.org/10.1303/aez.14.51
Abstract
The native chrysomelid beetle G. atrocyanea is a possible agent for use in the biological control of dock, R. obtusifolius, a noxious grassland weed in Japan. Two dispersal tests were performed by releasing marked overwintered adults in grassland fields. The beetles dispersed over an area with a radius of almost 50 m around the release point. The farthest distance at which a beetle was recovered was 106 m from the release point. Two release points per hectare of overwintered adults would be sufficient for the establishment of a colony in virgin grassland or for increasing their numbers where there is a low population. Female adults dispersed to greater distances than the males. Beetles dispersed by walking (crawling) and flying. Their flight was observed most often around noontime on warm, windless days.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: