Climatic Data-Based Analysis Of Lygus hesperus Preference On Selected Host Plants

Based on two-year field sampling data from three counties and four plant hosts at different phenological stages in the Texas High Plains, three different statistical models, linear, logistic growth curve and Poisson have been developed to quantify the relationship between climatic data and the Lygus number in the field. A principal component analysis showed that the minimum temperature was the most important factor in influencing Lygus population dynamics. The Poisson regression model is now being developed as a predictive model to describe the relationship between minimum temperature and Lygus densities across locations and host habitats.