THE WITHIN FIELD SPATIAL PATTERN OF THE LARVAL EGYPTIAN ALFALFA WEEVIL, HYPERA BRUNNEIPENNIS (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE): AN APPLICATION OF PARAMETER ESTIMATES IN SIMULATION

Abstract

AbstractThe spatial distribution of the Egyptian alfalfa weevil larvae using Iwao’s index of dispersion was examined in a California alfalfa field. The changing dispersion patterns with time were found to be influenced by both density induced competition for food and varying spatial distribution of host plants. values characteristic for both years quickly stabilized. This made possible a method for estimating leaf consumption rates by larval populations with an aggregated distribution, k being derived from . Field sampling decision rules were also determined.