THE SPATIAL-DISTRIBUTION OF LIMOTHRIPS-DENTICORNIS HALIDAY (THYSANOPTERA, THRIPIDAE) EGGS ON SPRING BARLEY

The within-plant spatial distribution of Limothrips denticornis Haliday eggs on spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in North Dakota was examined during the growing seasons of 1987 and 1988. In both years, most eggs were found during inflorescence emergence (growth stages 10-10.5 on the Feekes scale), although eggs were detected both prior to and after these growth stages. Once inflorescence emergence was initiated, over 8.5% of the eggs were found in the top two leaf sheaths, with the majority in the flag leaf sheath. Over all barley growth stages, significantly more eggs (P less-than-or-equal-to 0.05) were found in the middle third than in either the top or bottom third of the flag leaf sheath. No difference (P greater-than-or-equal-to 0.05) in the within-sheath location of eggs on lower leaves was detected.