Correlation of Activities of the Alfalfa Weevil 1 and Bathyplectes curculionis 2 with Alfalfa Height and Degree-Day Accumulation in Colorado 3
- 1 February 1977
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Environmental Entomology
- Vol. 6 (1) , 69-71
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/6.1.69
Abstract
A study of the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) and Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) in Colorado demonstrates that the population dynamics of these insects can be predicted by measuring the height of alfalfa. The data shows that alfalfa growth is directly proportional to the number of accumulated degree-days (°F.). Population curves based on the accumulated degree-days for the 2 species of insects were approximately the same in 1973 and 1974. The theoretical temperature of development for diapausing cocoons of B. curculionis was 43°F. The adult parasites required 425.7 degree days (°F.) to emerge. Results of the study show promise for the development of a pest management program utilizing B. curculionis as a management tool.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: