Abstract
Pea leaf weevil,Sitona lineatus(L.), native to Europe and North Africa, has been introduced into many other countries around the world, including the USA and Canada. Adults are oligophagous pests on leguminaceous plants.Sitona lineatuswas first recorded in Canada in 1997, near Lethbridge, Alberta. Since then, it has spread north in Alberta and west into Saskatchewan in 2007. Bioclimatic simulation models were used to predict the distribution and extent of establishment ofS. lineatusin Canada based on its current geographic range, phenology, relative abundance, and empirical data. The study identified areas in Canada that are at risk for future establishment ofS. lineatusand developed a better understanding of climate effects. Climate change projections (General Circulation Models) were then imposed on the bioclimatic model ofS. lineatus. Bioclimatic model output varied for each of the three General Circulation Models. In terms of suitability for pest establishment (Ecoclimatic Index), the NCAR273 CCSM climate data resulted in the most significant shift northward.
Highlights
Pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus (L.), native to Europe and North Africa, has been introduced into many other countries around the world, including North America
The objectives of the study were to develop a bioclimatic model to predict potential range and relative abundance of S. lineatus, to identify areas in Canada that are at risk for future establishment of the pea leaf weevil, and to use the model to develop a better understanding of how a changing climate might potentially influence S. lineatus populations across North America
The results suggest that S. lineatus populations may increase, in areas north of Calgary, in warmer growing seasons
Summary
Sitona lineatus (L.), native to Europe and North Africa, has been introduced into many other countries around the world, including North America. Adults are oligophagous pests on leguminaceous plants. The adults are oligophagous pests on leguminaceous plants but prefer and maximize their reproductive potential on peas and faba beans [4]. Adults overwinter in a variety of locations, sites containing perennial legumes and weeds. Adults leave overwintering sites in search of pea fields. Eggs are laid in the soil, near developing pea plants. Larvae feed on root nodules and develop through five instars. In late summer adults leave pea fields in search of late season pulse crops before overwintering [6]. Adults feed on leaf margins of legume seedlings. Larval feeding on nodules can result in partial or complete inhibition of nitrogen fixation [7]
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