Intra- and Interplant Distribution of Insect Pests of Cantaloupe

Abstract

Intra- and interplant distribution of five pest species of insects were evaluated in research plots planted to cantaloupe, Cucumis melo L., over three growing seasons, fall 1983 and spring 1984 and 1985. Two species, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, spotted cucumber beetle; and Empoasca abrupta DeLong, western potato leafhopper, were found to be randomly dispersed. One species, Aphis gossypii Glover, melon aphid, was found to be overdispersed, and two species, D. balteata LeConte and Acalymma vittatum (F.), banded and striped cucumber beetles, respectively, varied between random and overdispersed. One species, melon aphid, was found to be most abundant on the basal portion of vines. Precision of sampling techniques for each species was evaluated using relative variation and it was determined that sampling precision could be increased by reducing area sampled and increasing the number of samples.