Biology subjects

Onufrieva, K. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Onufrieva, K. S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Efficacy of Mating Disruption Treatments Against Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) Applied Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly used in precision pest management, yet their performance in operational forest settings remains underexplored. We evaluated the efficacy of SPLAT(R) GM-Organic mating disruptant applied using an UAV at the dosages of 14.8 and 11.4 g AI/ha for control of the spongy moth, Lymantria dispar dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). Both treatments reduced trap catches by >90% for 10 weeks following the application, meeting the efficacy requirement set by the USDAs National Slow the Spread (STS) Program. One year after the application, trap catches continued to be reduced by 28% and 67% in plots treated with 14.8 and 11.4 g AI/ha, respectively. These levels of trap catch reduction in the year of treatment and one year after the treatment application are comparable to the ones observed following fixed-wing aerial treatments. These results indicate that UAV-applied SPLAT(R) GM-Organic meets STS requirements for operational use and is suitable for integration into the program for treating small or isolated blocks. These findings also have broader implications for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to deploy SPLAT(R) formulations in forest pest management programs.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2021

How to count your bugs?

Ability to estimate local population density of an insect is critical in many fields, from pest management to conservation. No method currently exists that reliably connects trap catch with the insect population density, including the corresponding uncertainty. Here we report a simple and universal predictive relationship for a probability of catching an insect located a given distance away from the trap. This relationship allows to estimate, from a single catch, the most likely population density along with its statistical upper and lower bounds. To test the generality of this equation we used 10 distinct trapping data sets collected on insects from 5 different orders and major trapping methods: chemical-baited and light. For all of the datasets the equation faithfully [Formula] describes the relationship between location of an insect and probability to catch it. The ability to estimate absolute population density from a single trap catch will significantly improve our understanding of insect population dynamics and allow for more effective research, management, and conservation programs.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2017

Linear relationship between peak and season-long abundances in insects

O_LIAn accurate quantitative relationship between key characteristics of an insect population, such as season-long and peak abundances, can be very useful in pest management programs. To the best of our knowledge, no such relationship yet has been established.\nC_LIO_LIHere we establish a predictive linear relationship between insect catch Mpw during the week of peak abundance, the length of seasonal flight period, F (number of weeks) and season-long cumulative catch (abundance) A =0.41 MpwF. The derivation of the equation is based on several general assumptions, and does not involve fitting to experimental data, which implies generality of the result. A quantitative criterion for the validity of the model is presented.\nC_LIO_LIThe equation was tested using extensive data collected on captures of male gypsy moths Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in pheromone-baited traps during 15 years.\nC_LIO_LIThe model was also tested using trap catch data for two species of mosquitoes, Culex pipiens (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), in Gravid and BG-sentinel mosquito traps, respectively.\nC_LIO_LIThe simple, parameter-free equation approximates experimental data points with relative error of 13% and R2 = 0.997, across all of the species tested.\nC_LIO_LIFor gypsy moth, we also related season-long and weekly trap catches to the daily trap catches during peak flight.\nC_LIO_LIWe describe several usage scenarios, in which the derived relationships are employed to help link results of small-scale field studies to the operational pest management programs.\nC_LI

ecology↗