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Geostatistical use for characterization of the spatial distribution of larvae of Diloboderus abderus

In Brazil, there are about a thousand recorded species of white grubs, and among them the most important is Diloboderus abderus Sturm, 1826 (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae), because of the damage caused to agricultural crops and the wide geographic occurrence. The study aimed to characterize, using geostatistical, the spatial distribution of larvae of D. abderus. The study was conducted during 2009 in oat crops in the counties of São Francisco de Assis, Cruz Alta and Lagoa Vermelha, RS. The perimeters of the fields were delimited with global positioning system receptor, and the sampling grids dimensions were 70x70m. The population density was estimated by opening a trench in each sampling point. The analysis of spatial variability and spatial dependence were made by semivariograms and classified from CAMBARDELLA et al. (1994). Maps were generated from the counting data of larvae in the field. The semivariograms indicate the presence of spatial dependence in the assessment areas. The sampling grids proved to be suitable to characterize the spatial distribution of D. abderus larvae. The spatial distribution of D. abderus is aggregated and this knowledge may improve pest management.

geomantic; kriging; semivariogram; white grubs


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