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Emergence and Flight of Click Beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in Organic Soils of Southwestern Quebec

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

J. Lafrance
Affiliation:
Research Station, Research Branch Canada Department of Agriculture, St. Jean, Quebec

Abstract

Records obtained over a period of six years revealed that the Elaterid beetles in organic soils in southwestern Quebec emerged during the second and third weeks of May when the maximum soil temperature varied between 39 and 57°F and the maximum air temperature between 57 and 80°F. Males appeared earlier than females, the proportion of males becoming larger as the population decreased. Peaks of emergence occurred mostly during the first and second weeks of June when the air temperature varied between 74 and 82°F. Adult populations decreased from the beginning of June to disappear completely by the middle of July. The flight period lasted 73 and 52 days when the maximum daily temperature during the month of May averaged 62.4 and 70°F respectively. Of eleven species, Dalopius pallidus Br., Melanotus communis-fissilis complex and Agriotes mancus (Say) were the most numerous species collected in flight-traps, whereas Dalopius pallidus Br., Hypolithus abbreviatus (Say), Ctenicera tarsalis (Melsh.), Agriotes mancus (Say), and Aeolus mellillus (Say) were respectively the five most abundant species attracted by the solution of dilute molasses in heap-traps. Most of Elaterid beetles were captured when flying south. Beetles were captured at all heights from 15 to 75 inches. The population of adults decreased rapidly after two years of clean cultivation in the area surrounding the experimental plots.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1963

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