Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University, P. O. Box 257, Maputo, Mozambique.
Integrated Pest Management Program, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
Environ Entomol. 2022 Feb 16;51(1):118-131. doi: 10.1093/ee/nvab129.
The larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), is a serious pest of stored maize in Mozambique and in other African countries. This study investigated the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on populations of P. truncatus at four sites over a two-year period (2013-2014) in Mozambique. Fourteen 250 × 250 m quadrants were selected at each site. Plant species diversity, temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity data were recorded. Pheromone-baited Uni-traps were used to monitor P. truncatus inside each quadrant. In addition, plant species were identified using visual observation and measurement of morphological features of leaves and fruits, and quantified, after which the percentage of host plant species of P. truncatus was determined out of all species in each quadrant. Multiple regression analysis and generalized linear models showed that host plant species dominance, maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall influenced the variations in P. truncatus abundance. The development of these models of P. truncatus flight activity provides a baseline for further studies predicting dispersal and potential areas of invasion by this pest.
大谷蠹，Prostephanus truncatus (Horn)（鞘翅目：象甲科），是莫桑比克和其他非洲国家储存玉米的严重害虫。本研究调查了在莫桑比克的四个地点，经过两年（2013-2014 年）的时间内，非生物和生物因素对 P. truncatus 种群的影响。在每个地点选择了 14 个 250×250 m 的四分体。记录了植物物种多样性、温度、降水和相对湿度数据。使用性诱剂诱捕的 Uni-traps 在每个四分体内部监测 P. truncatus。此外，通过观察和测量叶片和果实的形态特征来识别植物物种，并对其进行量化，然后确定每个四分体中 P. truncatus 的寄主植物物种百分比。多元回归分析和广义线性模型表明，寄主植物物种优势、最高和最低温度、相对湿度和降雨量影响了 P. truncatus 丰度的变化。这些 P. truncatus 飞行活动模型的发展为进一步研究预测这种害虫的扩散和潜在入侵区域提供了基础。
