MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF THE POPULATION STRUCTURE OF SITONA HISPIDULUS (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) IN ALFALFA FIELD SOIL
AbstractThe multivariate statistical techniques of canonical correlation and canonical redundancy analyses were used to assess the population structure of larvae of Sitona hispidulus (F.) in alfalfa field soil. A series of rhizosphere variables was correlated with a series of insect variables that represented the developmental stages of the insect to identify relationships between the insect and rhizosphere. Results indicated that 1st and 2nd-instar larvae were correlated with small root nodules and soil moisture, but not with taproot biomass. Third- and 4th-instar larvae and pupae were not correlated with any of the rhizosphere components measured. Fifth-instar larvae were associated with taproot biomass.