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A model to predict the incubation and nymphal development periods of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae)1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

J.A.W.A. Reus*
Affiliation:
Locust, Other Migratory Pests and Emergency Operations Section, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
P.M. Symmons
Affiliation:
Locust, Other Migratory Pests and Emergency Operations Section, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
*
J.A.W.A. Reus, Centre for Agriculture and Environment, P.O. Box 10015, 3505 AA Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Abstract

A model has been developed which estimates the egg and nymphal development periods of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål). The model uses long-term monthly mean temperatures from a number of weather stations in the desert locust area. The computer program calculates the daily mean temperature and the daily related amount of development. It then accumulates the percentage of development estimated on successive days until the total reaches or exceeds 100. The model can be started on any day of the year at any given development stage and it can calculate development backwards in time as well as forwards. The model should be a useful aid in forecasting desert locust population developments and for the planning of surveys.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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Footnotes

1

The model has been written in Lightspeed Pascal* (Apple Macintosh). A copy of the program can be obtained from the Desert Locust Information Service, Locust, Other Migratory Pests and Emergency Operations Section, AGP Division, FAO, Rome, 00100 Italy.

References

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