Investigating the spatiotemporal dynamics of the leaf beetle Cerotoma arcuata in tropical soybean fields

Abstract

Cerotoma arcuata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has been a notorious issue in the previous soybean (Glycine max) season in South America. Geostatistical analyses explore insect spatiotemporal dynamics by settling populations’ spatial dependence. Investigating the spatiotemporal dynamic of C. arcuata provides accomplishments about its regulation factors and scouting directions. Hence, this study aimed to determine the spatiotemporal dynamics of C. arcuata in soybean fields through geostatistical tools. For this purpose, C. arcuata populations, climatic elements, surrounding vegetation, and plant stage were monitored in soybean fields for two years. The highest C. arcuata densities occurred in the second year’s dry season at the reproductive stage, and average air temperature regulated its population. The exponential and spherical semivariograms presented spatial dependence ranges of 7.58 and 17.18 m, respectively. Consequently, samples for scouting purposes must be assessed at greater distances than 17.18 m. C. arcuata distribution was clustered when its density was > 1 adult.m−1. In conclusion, this research elucidates the spatiotemporal dynamics of C. arcuata in tropical soybean fields and provides valuable knowledge to draw decision-making plans and control strategies.