Projecting Overwintering Regions of the Beet Armyworm,Spodoptera exiguain China using the CLIMEX Model

Abstract

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a serious agricultural pest worldwide. However, population sources of S. exigua in outbreak regions are still vague due to the lack of understanding the distribution of overwintering regions, especially in China. In the present study, the potential overwintering regions of S. exigua in China are projected using the method of Compare Location in the CLIMEX model in order to understand the population sources in outbreak regions and establish an accurate forecasting system. The results showed the southern and northern overwintering boundaries near the Tropic of Cancer (about 23.5 °N) and the Yangtze River valley (about 30 °N), respectively. Meanwhile, the projection was supported by the data of fieldwork in 14 countries/cities during winter from 2008–2010. In conclusion, results of this study indicated that the overwintering regions of S. exigua were accurately projected by the CLIMEX model.

Regulation of hemolymph trehalose level by an insulin-like peptide through diel feeding rhythm of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua

“…The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, is a major insect pest in vegetables with its broad host range [60]. Especially, its massive feeding activity during last instar allows the larvae to grow more than four times in body weight and gives serious economic damage to crops [30].…”

RNA interference of glycerol biosynthesis suppresses rapid cold hardening of the beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua

“…The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner 1808), migrates long distances to locate suitable breeding places, and continuously intimidates crops in the temperate region (Mikkola, 1970;Zheng et al, 2012). The supercooling ability of S. exigua allows it to overwinter in some restricted zones .…”

Modeling climate change impacts on overwintering of Spodoptera exigua Hübner in regions of China

“…(ii) Inputting biological parameters for projecting overwintering regions of S. exigua in China (Table 1). Sources of the biological information used in this study were detailedly described in our previous study (Zheng et al, 2012). (iii) Creation of incremental scenarios for temperature (+ 1, + 2 and + 3 °C), and were only applied in winter monthly values (minimum and max temperature changes) in CLIMEX.…”

“…This species escapes freezing (Zheng et al, 2011), that overwinters without diapause (He et al, 2011). Our previous study showed that the southern and northern overwintering boundaries of S. exigua in China are near the Tropic of Cancer (about 23.5° N lat) and the Yangtze River valley (about 30° N lat), and suggested that the current range of S. exigua may be limited by low temperature during winter (Zheng et al, 2012). However, little is known whether S. exigua is responding to global warming by shifting its overwintering distribution to higher latitudes, especially during winter.…”