Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) dispersal behavior in intercropped vs. monoculture soybean agroecosystems

Rates of dispersal and patterns of movement of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, were investigated in monoculture soybean and in intercropped soybean/sorghum agroecosystems. Marked and unmarked populations of Japanese beetles were monitored using trap and direct observation census methods in a replicated field research design. Significantly lower densities of Japanese beetles were found in the intercropped treatment compared to the monoculture treatment. Rates of dispersal were also significantly decreased in the intercropped treatment. Results suggest that inter-cropping should be a component of integrated pest management in the control of a generalist herbivore species such as the Japanese beetle.