Population fluctuation and migration dynamics of Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) in Hubei
Author of the article:FAN Shu-Qin** ZHAI Bao-Ping**
Author's Workplace：Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, the Insect-Information Ecology Laboratory, Nanjing 210095, China
Key Words： Sogatella furcifera, migration dynamics, mesoscale source areas, trajectory analysis
Abstract： [Objectives] Hubei Province ( 29°05′N-33°20′N，108°21′E-116°07′E ) is situated in central China and is one of China’s major rice producing areas. This province is the northern boundary of the distribution, and the turning point for the return migration, of the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) (WBPH). It is therefore an important link in the migration chain of this species. Understanding the population fluctuations and migration dynamics of the WBPH in Hubei will provide useful information for forecasting outbreaks of this pest. [Methods] The annual fluctuations and distribution within mesoscale source areas of immigrant populations, and the destination areas of emigrating populations of the WBPH, were studied by trajectory analysis using NOAA’s HYSPLIT based on the daily light-trap catches from 2000 to 2013. Migration processes were analyzed by GrADS using NCEP-NCAR to reanalyze the data. [Conclusion] (1) Light-trap catches of WBPH are a sensitive index for forecasting outbreaks of the WBPH, and the first appearance of WBPHs in light-traps should be earlier in outbreak years. (2) Simulations of migration trajectories during major migration events from 2000 to 2013 indicated that most immigrants to Hubei came from Hunan, Guizhou and Chongqing, with some from Guangxi. (3) In autumn, most individuals emigrated to Hunan, Chongqing and Guizhou via the northeast airflow. When the wind speed was higher, WBPH could migrate directly from Hubei to Guangxi and Yunnan, and a few could even reach northern Vietnam. (4) The low level jet-stream is a strong conveyer for long distance migrants, and landfall by large numbers of these pests can be caused by wind shear, cyclone and heavy rainfall.