Changes in the abundance of Melolontha hippocastani Fabr. and Melolontha melolontha (L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae) in the Czech Republic in the period 2003–2009

Abstract

In the period between 2003 and 2009 we evaluated the abundance of adults of Melolontha hippocastani Fabr. and Melolontha melolontha (L.) cockchafers in four forest regions of the Czech Republic. During this period each of the evaluated localities was hit twice by heavy swarming. The course of swarming, species composition, abundance of the respective tribe, sex ratio during swarming and the correlation between the course of swarming and average daily temperature were monitored by means of a light trap, an automatic meteorological station and observations in the open space; the data were represented in the form of graphs. We evaluated how the trend of the abundance of the particular species developed in the respective localities in order to work out a more specific prediction of the occurrence of the cockchafer in subsequent years and the extent of damage caused by the grubs to forest plantations. Research will continue in 2010–2011.