SPATIAL-DISPERSION AND SEQUENTIAL SAMPLING PLAN FOR THE TARNISHED PLANT BUG (HEMIPTERA, MIRIDAE) ON CELERY

The seasonal development and spatial distribution of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) on celery (Apium graveolens L. var. dulce DC.) were studied by using Iwao's patchiness regression technique. The young nymph, old nymph, and adult populations of L. lineolaris were estimated by visually inspecting celery plants. No significant differences were found between planting dates for the spatial dispersion of young nymphs, old nymphs and adults in Quebec or in Nova Scotia. The basic component of the population was the individual for the young and old nymphs but was aggregates of individuals for the adult stage. These basic components were contagiously distributed for all stages of L. lineolaris. Based on dispersion parameters, three sequential sampling plans were established for economic thresholds used in an integrated pest management program.