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THE ANALYSIS OF INTRAGENERATION CHANGE IN EASTERN ONTARIO POPULATIONS OF THE ALFALFA WEEVIL, HYPERA POSTICA (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

D. G. Harcourt ,
J. C. Guppy  and
M. R. Binns
D. G. Harcourt
Affiliation:
Ottawa Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa K1A 0C6
J. C. Guppy
Affiliation:
Ottawa Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa K1A 0C6
M. R. Binns
Affiliation:
Statistical Research Service, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa K1A 0C5
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Abstract

Fifteen life tables were compiled from population and mortality data collected in the Quinte area of eastern Ontario during the 5-year period, 1972–76, that spanned the rise and fall of an outbreak of the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyll.).

Components analysis of the data showed that a disease of the feeding larvae caused by Entomophthora phytonomi Arthur, a fungus new to the insect in North America, was the principal determinant of intrageneration survival. Multivariate analysis of the separate mortalities, expressed as k-values, confirmed that this agent was the key factor governing population trends of the weevil and was mainly responsible for its population decline.

Examination of the properties of the various mortality factors showed that E. phytonomi was density dependent but overcompensating. Other agents, including the parasitoids Bathyplectes curculionis (Thom.) and Tetrastichus incertus (Ratz.) acted in a density independent manner and contributed little to population trend.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 109 , Issue 12 , December 1977 , pp. 1521 - 1534
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1977

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