Trap catches of the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), in northern Kyushu district, Japan in relation to weather conditions

Abstract

The pattern of overseas immigration of Laodelphax striatellus (Fallen) into northern Kyushu district in relation to weather conditions was analyzed using trap catch data, weather data, and backward trajectory analysis. The investigation covered the period May 21 to June 10 of each year between 2000 and 2009. One peak trap catch was recorded on May 27–28, 2006 and was associated with strong westerly winds at 850 and 925 hPa levels to the south of a cold vortex that passed over the southern part of the Korean peninsula. The backward trajectory analysis suggested Jiangsu Province, China, as possible migration source. Another peak catch on June 5, 2008 has already been reported as an overseas migration from Jiangsu Province, China. This study revealed that a cold vortex passing the southern Korean peninsula was also associated with insect migration in 2008. Thus, there is evidence of at least 2 overseas migrations from Jiangsu Province, China, over a 10-year period that coincided with strong westerly winds in the lower atmosphere that were associated with cold vortices.