Application of a frequency distribution method for determining instars of Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: curculionidae) from several morphological variables

Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Simaroubaceae), commonly known as tree-of-heaven, and A. altissima var. Qiantouchun in China. It is considered a potential biological control agent for tree-of-heaven in North Ameri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biocontrol science and technology 2016-10, Vol.26 (10), p.1329-1336
Main Authors: Luo, Wen, Ji, Ying-Chao, Wen, Jun-Bao
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ailanthus altissima
Coleoptera
Curculionidae
Dyar's rule
Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold)
frequency distribution method
head-capsule width
instars
Simaroubaceae
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Summary:Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Simaroubaceae), commonly known as tree-of-heaven, and A. altissima var. Qiantouchun in China. It is considered a potential biological control agent for tree-of-heaven in North America. The aim of this study was to use a frequency distribution method to determine the instars of field-collected larvae of E. brandti. We collected larval samples of various sizes from both the field and the laboratory and measured five morphological variables, including antenna spacing, mandible width, head-capsule width, ocellus spacing, and pronotum width. Based on the results of a frequency distribution method and Dyar's rule, the larvae of E. brandti were divided into seven instars. Of the five variables measured, the width of the head capsule provided the best measurement for determining instar stage. The regression equation between the head-capsule widths and the instar number was y = 0.324e 0.096x (R 2  = 0.970).
ISSN:0958-3157
1360-0478
DOI:10.1080/09583157.2016.1193845