WEATHER, BEHAVIOUR AND INSECT DISPERSAL

Abstract

AbstractIndividual meteorological factors, particularly temperature and wind, directly influence the dispersal of arthropods, as do weather systems — formation and movement of air masses, cold and warm fronts, and air flows associated with topographical features such as mountains, valleys, bodies of water. Models have been recently developed that simulate the effects of many of these systems on airborne dispersal of insects. Also, some attention has recently been directed toward the behaviour of arthropods during weather conducive to dispersal. Clearly, both winged and wingless forms of arthropods respond to certain stimuli for dispersal and behave specifically to enhance the potential for migration. Recent progress toward understanding the interplay between insect movement and mesoscale weather is particularly relevant to pest management.