Population dynamics of the armyworm in China: A review of the past 60 years’ research
Author of the article:JIANG Yu-Ying** LI Chun-Guang ZENG Juan LIU Jie
Author's Workplace：National Agro-Technical Extension and Service Center, Beijing 100125
Key Words：Mythimna separata, population dynamics, occurrence evolution, influential factors
Abstract： The occurrence, management, and economic impact of the armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker), inChinawas reviewed based on data from field surveys and poplar branch and light trap catches from 1950 to 2013. Several key characteristics of armyworm population dynamics are as follows: (1) The fluctuation of the overwintering generation of armyworms was slightly different in southern China, the population size of the first generation declined in Jianghuai region of central China, but the damage caused by the second and third generation have been progressively greater in recent years; (2) The most extensive spatial distribution of the second generation was seen in the Huanghuai region, northern, northeastern, southwestern and northwestern China, and since 1995, the major crop affected by armyworms has been wheat rather than corn. (3) The most important factor affecting armyworm population dynamics is the planting area of cereal crops, although annual and regional population fluctuations are determined by changing climate, the extent of crop damage depends on the local farm habitat.