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Radar monitoring unveils migration dynamics of the yellow-spined bamboo locust (Orthoptera: Arcypteridae)

Radar monitoring unveils migration dynamics of the yellow-spined bamboo locust (Orthoptera: Arcypteridae)

Authors :
Haowen Zhang
Xinzhu Cang
Dazhong Liu
Shengyuan Zhao
Xianming Yang
Kongming Wu
Kris A.G. Wyckhuys
Cheng Hu
Rui Wang
Source :
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 187:106306
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2021.

Abstract

Accurate monitoring of locust migration is the basis for early warning and emergency control programs. This article integrates laboratory recordings with the use of Ku-band vertical insect radar to assess migration of the yellow-spined bamboo locust Ceracris kiangsu (Orthoptera: Arcypteridae) in the China-Laos border area. Under laboratory conditions, field-caught individuals engaged in flight at temperatures above 20℃ and exhibited a wingbeat frequency of 18.5–31.1 Hz. Between July 6 and August 23, 2020, a total of 39C. kiangsu migration events were recorded by radar. Locust individuals only engaged in diurnal migration, with peak activity after 15:00. Flight was recorded at an average height, flight speed and density of 410 m above ground level, 35.8 km/h, and 1305.9 individuals/km3, respectively. High-density C. kiangsu swarms exhibited high flight speeds. Departing from Laos, locusts migrated north by west 27.4–35.0° into Jiangcheng county (Yunnan, China). Migration flight was affected by ambient temperature, while its speed was determined by that of prevailing wind currents. Individual locusts autonomously adjusted their heading direction in order to unify the travel direction of the migrant swarm. Ku-band high-resolution fully polarimetric insect radar can thus accurately assess the migration patterns of C. kiangsu locusts and thereby constitutes an important forecasting tool.

Details

ISSN :
01681699
Volume :
187
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........4abcac21f7f73b03ec89c0b44f1a149f
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2021.106306