Landscape structure and climate drive population dynamics of an insect vector within intensely managed agroecosystems

• DOI: 10.1002/eap.2109
• Publication Date: 2020-02-28T13:02:10Z
• Authors: Javier Gutiérrez ...; Elias H. Bloom; Carrie H. Wohleb; Erik J. Wenninger; Silvia I. Rondon; Andrew S. Jensen; William E. Snyder; David W. Crowder
• Keywords: Agroecosystem

Characterizing factors affecting insect pest populations across variable landscapes is a major challenge for agriculture. In natural ecosystems, are strongly mediated by landscape and climatic factors. However, it has proven difficult to evaluate if similar predict dynamics in agroecosystems because control tactics exert strong confounding effects. We addressed this assessing whether species distribution models could effectively characterize of an intensely managed agroecosystems. Our study used regional multi-year data set assess drivers potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) populations, which often subjected calendar-based insecticide treatments they transmit pathogens crops. Despite this, we show that were affected Psyllids more abundant with high connectivity, low crop diversity, large areas. Psyllid population also factors, particularly precipitation humidity. results many the same drive ecosystems can have effects intensive agroecosystem. More broadly, our shows incorporating describe may thus promote sustainable management.