Flight Activity and Dispersal of the Cabbage Seedpod Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Are Related to Atmospheric Conditions

The cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera Curculionidae), is an invasive pest of canola (Brassica no pus L and Brassica awn L.) in western Canada Under current climatic conditions, C obstrictus is spreading from established populations in southwestern Alberta at approximate to 55 km/yr We studied the influence of climatic conditions on C obstrictus flight behavior in 2007 and 2008 and eastward dispersal from the western border of Saskatchewan from 2002 to 2007 Positive linear relationships between increases in mean temperature and flight height and between greater mean maximum temperature and expanded dispersal distances were significant Increases in relative humidity were associated with reduced flight heights and dispersal distances We developed models that predict the relationships of temperature and relative humidity with flight height and with dispersal distance. We also discuss implications for C obstrictus dispersal under current climatic conditions and in the context of predicted climate change.