Distribution and Dynamics of Japanese Beetles Along the Indianapolis Airport Perimeter and the Influence of Land Use on Trap Catch

Abstract

As part of a program to minimize the accidental transportation of Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) through cargo aircraft to areas where they are not established, a 4-yr trapping project was initiated to study the relative distribution and dynamics of the beetles along a trap line around the Indianapolis International Airport. Land use influence on beetle abundance (trap catch) was assessed using a geographic information system. Trap catch was consistently high in some locations and low in others. In general, high trap catches occurred near agronomic land planted with corn or soybeans, which are both preferred hosts of adult beetles. Low trap catches generally occurred in areas lacking preferred host plants. The amount of agronomic land within 500 m of the traps was always positively correlated with trap catch. Average trap catches were highly correlated by location from year to year, indicating stability of the relative distribution of the beetles along the trap line. Because high trap catches consistently occurred in the same locations, it can be inferred that trapping can be an effective method to monitor Japanese beetle populations. Taking airport-owned agronomic land out of corn and soybean production near the cargo terminals may reduce beetle activity in these areas.