Meteorological weather station data can be used in climate matching studies of biological control agents.

摘要

Meteorological weather station data are often used in climate matching studies to predict potential distributions of biological control agents, yet, this does not take into account the effects of microclimates experienced by the agents. Comparisons of the number of generations that the mirid, Eccritotarsus catarinensis, a biological control agent of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub (Pontederiaceae), was predicted to complete using meteorological weather station data, on site air temperature and water hyacinth canopy microclimate temperatures recorded over two years showed that there were no significant differences between the temperature data sources. Therefore, meteorological weather station data used in degree-day models of biological control agents are useful in explaining broad establishment patterns.Digital Object Identifier http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2012.662477