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THE SEASONAL MOVEMENTS OF WIREWORMS (COLEOPTERA: ELATERIDAE) IN RELATION TO SOIL MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE IN THE ORGANIC SOILS OF SOUTHWESTERN QUEBEC

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

J. Lafrance
J. Lafrance
Affiliation:
Research Station, Canada Department of Agriculture, St. Jean, Quebec
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Abstract

A 4-year study in the virgin organic soils of southwestern Quebec revealed that most elaterid larvae moved from the subsurface to the top 10 in. of soil in early May, when the soil temperature at a depth of 4 in. was approximately 35°F. This upward movement readied its peak when the topsoil moisture content was 200% and the soil temperature at 4 in., 55°F. In early June, when the soil temperature reached 67°F, the larvae began to move downward and very few larvae were found in the first top layers of soil when the temperature was above 72°F. This downward movement lasted until the end of August and again the larvae moved up to feed near the surface of the soil until the first frost, usually recorded in mid-November. The data indicate that June to early September is generally the most favourable period for growing vegetables.

Résumé

Des recherches, effectuées en sol vierge organique durant quatre années consécutives, ont démontré qu’au début de mai, lorsque la température maximum de sol à quatre pouces de profondeur était d’environ 3.5°F, la plupart des larves de taupins quittaient le sons-sol pour se diriger vers la zone superficielle. Cette migration ascendante atteint son point culminant lorsejue l’humidité du sol est d’environ 200 p. cent et que la température du sol est de 55°F. Au début de juin, les larves commencent à migrer en profondeur lorsque la température du sol est d’environ 67°F et, au-delà de 75°F, on trouve très peu de larves dans la zone superficielle. Les larves demeurent dans le sous-sol jusqu’à la fin d’août puis migrent à nouveau vers la zone superficielle jusqu’aux premières gelées. La période s’étendant de juin à septembre coïncide avec la migration en profondeur et ainsi s’avère la plus propice à la culture des légumes.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 100 , Issue 8 , August 1968 , pp. 801 - 807
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1968

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References

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