The Early Northward Migration of the White-Backed Planthopper (Sogatella furcifera) is Often Hindered by Heavy Precipitation in Southern China during the Preflood Season in May and June.

Hui Chen,Ming-Hong Lu,Xiao-Li Chang,Bao-Ping Zhai,Gao Hu,Yun-Ping Wang,Wan-Cai Liu

doi:10.3390/insects10060158

Hui Chen, Ming-Hong Lu + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10060158

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Abstract

Seasonal weather systems that establish prevailing winds and seasonal rainfall on a large scale largely determine insect migration patterns, especially for micro-insects with completely windborne migration. Recent studies indicated that the summer migration of the brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens) in eastern China is related to the strength and position of the Western Pacific Subtropical High-Pressure (WPSH) system and its associated wind and rainfall patterns. Compared with the BPH, the white-backed planthopper (WBPH, Sogatella furcifera) has a similar diet, analogous body size, and strong long-distance migration ability. Thus, the migration pattern for the WBPH can be speculated to be similar to that of the BPH. However, the migration pattern of the WBPH and how this pattern relates to climatic conditions have scarcely been described. Based on almost three decades of data (1977–2003), it was suggested that the WBPH in southern China (south of approximately 27° N) migrates into the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River after the abrupt movements of the WPSH in mid-June, similar to the BPH. By contrast, the emigration of the WBPH in southern China begins in late May. Further analysis indicated that the migration of the WBPH in late May and early June was short or unsuccessful due to heavy precipitation during the preflood season in southern China from late May to middle June. The results herein demonstrate the differences in migration patterns between two rice planthoppers in the eastern Asia migration arena. We also provide new information that could assist with forecasting outbreaks and implementing control measures against these migratory pests.

Highlights

Responding to seasonal changes in habitats and resources, trillions of insects migrate through the atmosphere every year [1]
This step synchronized with the following events: (i) The southwesterlies expanded to the north and the winds strengthened in eastern China (Figure 2c), (ii) the rainfall belt moved to the Lower Yangtze River Valley (Figure 2d), and (iii) the ‘first abrupt jump’ of the Western Pacific Subtropical High-Pressure (WPSH) occurred (Figure 2a)
The wave of WBPH migrants into the Lower Yangtze River Valley depends on the development of the WPSH, which regulates southwesterly airstreams and the location of rain belts

Summary

Introduction

Responding to seasonal changes in habitats and resources, trillions of insects migrate through the atmosphere every year [1] These long-distance movements transport vast quantities of energy, nutrients, pathogens, and parasites, while the migrants themselves often provide ecosystem services (pest control, pollination) or disservices (crop pests, disease vectors) [1,2,3,4]. Seasonal weather systems that establish prevailing winds and seasonal rainfall over thousands of square kilometers, or even large portions of the earth for days or weeks, largely control insect migration patterns, especially for micro-insects with completely windborne migration [7,8,9]. Understanding the relationship between seasonal weather systems and insect migration is of great importance

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