Population Density and Distribution of Wheat Bugs Infesting Durum Wheat in Sardinia, Italy

Abstract

Wheat is a very important crop in Italy, and is infested by wheat bugs belonging to the genera Eurygaster (Hemiptera: Scutellaridae) and Aelia (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Many wheat bug infestations have been reported in the north, south, and center of Italy, both in the past as well as recently. The present study was carried out in Sardinia, Italy, during two years (2007 and 2008). The objective of this study was to determine the species and distribution of wheat bugs in durum wheat fields in Sardinia, and to estimate their population density in order to know the incidence of the pest on the island. Sampling took place twice a year (May and June) in three zones, representative of durum wheat cropping in the island. Four species of wheat bugs were found; the predominant species was Eurygaster austriaca (Schrank), followed by Aelia germari (Kuster), Eurygaster maura L., and Aelia acuminata L. The average density of wheat bugs was low (1.1 individuals/m2), but in certain areas it was above the damage threshold (4 individuals/m2). For this reason, the conclusion of the study is that this pest should be monitored in order to control outbreaks and prevent their further spread.

Вплив Пошкодження Зерна Пшениці Озимої Клопом Шкідлива Черепашка (Eurygaster Integriceps Put.) На Її Врожайність Та Якість Зерна

“…Зерно, пошкоджене клопом шкідливою черепашкою, характеризується низькою якістю клейковини [11] та набуло поширення на великій території Близького та Середнього Сходу [12], Східної та Південної Європи та Північної Африки [13]. Клоп щороку атакує близько 150 млн га полів у світі [14]. Пшениця, пошкоджена клопами, містить ферменти, які розщеплюють білки клейковини, викликають швидке розслаблення тіста [15-16], що призводить до виробництва хліба невідповідного за формою та текстурою [17][18][19] зі значними фінансовими втратами.…”

The Maize Caterpillar Mythimna (= Leucania) loreyi (Duponchel, 1827) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Identification, Distribution, Population Density and Damage in Tunisia

“…In the central Mediterranean (Sicily), this noctuid moth occurs from March to November [23]. Additionally, Salis et al [24] indicated that insect density influenced significantly damage to the crop. Also, these authors pointed out that changes in population densities and outbreaks of insects are mainly affected by biotic and abiotic constraints.…”

Population growth of stored product insects on wheat containing wheat bugs

“…During growing, wheat crops are heavily infested by different insect pests that cause serious losses and qualitative degradations (Cressey et al 1987;Swallow and Every 1991;Hariri et al 2000;Rosell et al 2002;Salis et al 2013). One of the major causal agents of wheat infestation at the pre-harvest stages is the occurrence of the so-called wheat bugs that belong to the genera Eurygaster (Hemiptera: Scutellaridae) and Aelia (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).…”