Spatiotemporal Distribution Patterns of Pest Species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Affected by Meteorological Factors in an Agroecosystem

Zafar Hussain, Zahid Mahmood Sarwar, Atif Akbar, Sadeq K. Alhag, Nazeer Ahmed (), Pravej Alam, Abdulrahman A. Almadiy, Ferjeni Zouidi and Nilesh Baburao Jawalkar
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Zafar Hussain: Department of Entomology, FAST Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Zahid Mahmood Sarwar: Department of Entomology, FAST Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Atif Akbar: Department of Statistics, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Sadeq K. Alhag: Biology Department, College of Science and Arts, King Khalid University, Muhayl Asser 63751, Saudi Arabia
Nazeer Ahmed: Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Anbar 23561, Pakistan
Pravej Alam: Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 16278, Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman A. Almadiy: Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Najran University, Najran 1988, Saudi Arabia
Ferjeni Zouidi: Biology Department, College of Science and Arts, King Khalid University, Muhayl Asser 63751, Saudi Arabia
Nilesh Baburao Jawalkar: Department of Zoology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431004, India

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: Knowing pests’ spatiotemporal distribution patterns is essential for forecasting population outbreaks and designing control tactics or long-term management plans. The family Noctuidae is one of the largest families of the Lepidoptera order. The noctuid’s moths are well represented in all zoogeographic regions in various habitats and have immeasurable ecological and economic importance. Although the species’ ecology has been extensively studied, little is known about the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of noctuid moths in an agroecosystem. Therefore, in this study, the spatial and temporal fluctuations in the abundance of 24 important species in the family were quantified. Yellow light traps were mounted in 11 different selected localities of the Multan district. The maximum species abundance was observed in September but declined in December, January, and February. Spatial contour maps were used to determine the species’ dissemination over space. Meteorological factors such as temperature and humidity showed a significantly positive correlation, while rainfall showed a significantly negative correlation, with species richness. The maximum species abundance was recorded in crop areas as compared to forest areas. This study provides a scientific basis for developing and timely applying control strategies for localized pest control.

Keywords: spatiotemporal; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae; genitalia; abundance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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