title: Analysis of the spatio-temporal distribution of Eurygaster integriceps (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) by using spatial analysis by distance indices and geostatistics.
abstract: Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) is the most serious insect pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Iran. In this study, spatio-temporal distribution of this pest was determined in wheat by using spatial analysis by distance  indices (SADIE) and geostatistics. Global positioning and geographic information systems were used for spatial sampling and mapping the distribution of this insect. The study was conducted for three growing seasons in Gharamalek, an agricultural region to the west of Tabriz, Iran. Weekly sampling  began when E. integriceps adults migrated to wheat fields from overwintering sites and ended when the new generation adults appeared at the end of season. The adults were sampled using 1- by 1-m quadrat and distance-walk methods. A sweep net was used for sampling the nymphs, and five 180°  sweeps were considered as the sampling unit. The results of spatial analyses by using geostatistics and SADIE indicated that E. integriceps adults were clumped after migration to fields and had significant spatial dependency. The second- and third-instar nymphs showed aggregated spatial structure  in the middle of growing season. At the end of the season, population distribution changed toward random or regular patterns; and fourth and fifth instars had weaker spatial structure compared with younger nymphs. In Iran, management measures for E. integriceps in wheat fields are mainly applied  against overwintering adults, as well as second and third instars. Because of the aggregated distribution of these life stages, site-specific spraying of chemicals is feasible in managing E. integriceps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karimzadeh
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hejazi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Helali
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iranipour
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006430:Hemiptera; D007492:Iran; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012621:Seasons