How Soil Properties Affect Egg Development and Larval Longevity of a Grassland Insect Pest - an Empirically Based Model

Presenter Information

S. N. Johnson, University of Reading, UKFollow
X. Zhang, University of Abertay Dundee, UK
J. W. Crawford, University of Abertay Dundee, UK
P. J. Gregory, University of Reading, UK
S. C. Jarvis, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, UK
P. J. Murray, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, UK
I. M. Young, University of Abertay Dundee, UK

Description

The clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal.) is a destructive pest of white clover in temperate grasslands. Adults lay thousands of eggs that give rise to soil-dwelling larvae that initially feed on the root nodules housing symbiotic N2-fixing Rhizobium spp. bacteria. The period between egg hatch and consumption of root nodules by larvae is probably the most vulnerable part in the lifecycle, and if larvae do not locate roots relatively quickly they will die of starvation. In particular, the shells of eggs and the cuticles of emergent larvae are in constant physical contact with the external soil environment, so the nature of the soil is potentially critical for these life-stages. This study tested the effects of soil temperature, pH and moisture on egg development and subsequent longevity of unfed larvae to develop a mathematical model of these processes.

Citation

Johnson, S. N.; Zhang, X.; Crawford, J. W.; Gregory, P. J.; Jarvis, S. C.; Murray, P. J.; and Young, I. M., "How Soil Properties Affect Egg Development and Larval Longevity of a Grassland Insect Pest - an Empirically Based Model" (2022). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 11.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/20/satellightsymposium1/11