An analysis of the distribution of fall bait trapping of wireworms in New Jersey corn fields using GPS/GIS technology

摘要

During the past six years, corn and potato crops in southern New Jersey have experienced frequent crop damage caused by wireworms. Bait traps and field observations show that damage is caused most often by Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal). To characterize the temporal and spatial distribution of these wireworms, two corn fields known to be infested were mapped using a real-time Trimble AgGPS~(TM) Model 122 differential GPS unit. Site-specific sampling points were established in each field. Bait traps were placed at each sampling point in the fall of 1998 after the corn silage crops were harvested. Wireworm counts, soil temperature, soil compaction, and elevation readings were obtained at these sites. Too few wireworms were collected to draw any statistically significant relationships among soil temperature, soil compaction, and elevation. GPS/GIS technology is useful in tracking both the spatial and temporal distributions of wireworms and will play a significant role in addressing future wireworm problems for farmers.