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A Seasonal Survey of Click Beetles in a Potato Production Area Near Palmer, Alaska

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Abstract

The seasonal activity of adult elaterids (Coleoptera: Elateridae) associated with potato production was studied in Palmer, Alaska (N61.60°, W149.13°) from May 13, 2004 to October 17, 2006. Additionally, the University of Alaska Museum (UAM) Insect Collection was inspected for the presence of adult elaterids collected in Alaska. Eight species from seven genera were collected from the field study: Ampedus nigrinus (Herbst), Corymbitodes lobatus (Eschscholtz), Hypnoidus abbreviatus (Say), Hypnoidus bicolor (Eschscholtz), Neohydonus spp., Pseudanostrius propolus (LeConte), Selatosomus morulus (LeConte), and Sericus incongruus (LeConte). The UAM collection contained 157 specimens representing 10 genera with 18 species. During our study, six of the 18 species present in the UAM were collected in the field, while two of the species collected during our field study, H. abbreviatus and Pseudanostrius propulus (LeConte) were not present at the UAM collection. Species collected during our study and present at the UAM include three of the six most economically important genera (Limonius, Ctenicera, and Hypnoidus) in terms of potato production in North America. Nearly all (97%) of the specimens collected from the field study were either H. abbreviatus (38%) or H. bicolor (59%). The relative counts of H. bicolor and H. abbreviatus varied by years; during 2004, H. abbreviatus was the dominant species (71%), but H. bicolor outnumbered (95%) H. abbreviatus during 2006. During 2004 and 2006, adult activity for both species started to build up during mid June, but was delayed until mid July during 2005. Both species showed adult activity until mid September. No adult activity was detected for any species during October of any of the years studied.

Resumen

Se estudio la dinámica poblacional de los elateridos adultos (Coleoptera: Elateridae) asociados a la producción de papa en Palmer, Alaska (N61.60°, W149.13°) durante mayo 13, 2004 a Octubre 17, 2006. Además se inspeccionaron los especímenes de elateridos presentes en la Colección de Insectos del Museo de la Universidad de Alaska (UAM). Ocho especies representando siete géneros fueron recuperados del ensayo de campo: Ampedus nigrinus (Herbst), Corymbitodes lobatus (Eschscholtz), Hypnoidus abbreviatus (Say), Hypnoidus bicolor (Eschscholtz), Neohydonus spp., Pseudanostrius propolus (LeConte), Selatosomus morulus (LeConte), and Sericus incongruus (LeConte). La colección de insectos en la UAM tiene 157 especímenes representando 10 géneros y 18 especies. Seis de las 18 especies presentes en la colección de la UAM fueron recuperados del ensayo de campo, mientras que dos de las especies colectadas en el campo, H. abbreviatus y Pseudanostrius propulus (LeConte) no estaban presentes en la colección de la UAM. Las especies colectadas en el campo y presentes en la colección de la UAM incluyen tres de los seis géneros (Limonius, Ctenicera, and Hypnoidus) económicamente importantes en términos de producción de papa en Norte América. Casi todos los especímenes recuperados del campo (97%) pertenecen a los géneros H. abbreviatus (38%) y H. bicolor (59%). La abundancia relativa de H. bicolor y H. abbreviatus cambio entre años; durante el 2004, H. abbreviatus fue la especie dominante (71%), pero H. bicolor fue más numeroso (95%) que H. abbreviatus en el año 2006. Durante los años 2004 y 2006, la actividad de adultos de ambas especies comenzó a mediados de junio, pero se demoro hasta mediados de julio durante el 2005. Ambas especies mostraron actividad de adultos hasta mediados de septiembre. No se detecto actividad de los adultos de ninguna especie durante octubre de ninguno de los anos estudiados.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Palmer, Alaska potato growers VanderWeele Farms, Ted Pyrah, The State of Alaska Plants Materials Center, and the University of Alaska, Agricultural Experiment Station for use of their farms. D. Sikes, Curator of Insects, helped with a loan of material from the UAM. Technical assistance in the field and laboratory was provided by B. Sweet, B. Torgerson, C. Flint, C. Curlee, J. Malapanis, N. Jenkins, and S. Lillard. Critical comments to an earlier draft of this manuscript were provided by D. Sikes, UAF, UAM and USDA, ARS: D. Fielding, J. Munyaneza, D. Horton, L. DeFoliart, B. Furman, E. Wenninger, D. Fleming, and R. Ranft.

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  1. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Subarctic Agricultural Research Unit, P.O. Box 757200, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA

    Alberto Pantoja, Aaron M. Hagerty & Susan Y. Emmert

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  1. Alberto Pantoja
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Correspondence to Alberto Pantoja.

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Pantoja, A., Hagerty, A.M. & Emmert, S.Y. A Seasonal Survey of Click Beetles in a Potato Production Area Near Palmer, Alaska. Am. J. Pot Res 87, 188–194 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-009-9125-8

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