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A series of abnormal climatic conditions caused the most severe outbreak of first-generation adults of the meadow moth (Loxostege sticticalis L.) in China

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Abstract

The meadow moth, Loxostege sticticalis L., is a destructive migratory pest in the northern temperate zone. The outbreak mechanism of first-generation adults in China remains unclear. In 2008, the density of first-generation larvae was very low or even negligible in most sites in China. However, a great number of first-generation adults appeared unexpectedly in late July, and their offspring caused the most severe infestation on record. The present study aims to determine where the large influx of immigrant adults originated from and how this unprecedented population was established. Source areas were explored by trajectory analysis, and climatic patterns related to the population increase were investigated. Results showed that the outbreak population mainly immigrated from Northeast Mongolia and the Chita State of Russia, and the buildup of such a large population could be attributed to an exceptional northward migration of overwintered adults from North China to East Mongolia in the spring of 2007 and unusually favourable climatic conditions in the next two growth seasons. These results indicated that the population dynamics of meadow moth in Northeast Asia would be difficult to predict when only considering local climatic factors and population size within one country. International joint monitoring and information sharing related to this pest between China, Mongolia and Russia should be implemented.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB102007) and the National Key Technology R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2006BAD08A01). We are very grateful to five anonymous referees and the field editor for their critical comments on the previous draft of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao Chen & Baoping Zhai

  2. National Agro-Tech Extension and Service Center, Beijing, 100125, People’s Republic of China

    Juan Zeng

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  1. Xiao Chen
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  2. Juan Zeng
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  3. Baoping Zhai
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Correspondence to Baoping Zhai.

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Chen, X., Zeng, J. & Zhai, B. A series of abnormal climatic conditions caused the most severe outbreak of first-generation adults of the meadow moth (Loxostege sticticalis L.) in China. Int J Biometeorol 60, 789–800 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-1073-z

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