Michigan State University researchers have uncovered new insights into what drives Colorado potato beetle populations by analyzing 16 years of data. The team found that although heat is still the best predictor of when beetles appear and how abundant they become, other environmental factors like precipitation and moisture in the air and soil also shape population trends in significant ways.
Long-term study highlights key drivers of trends
A long‑term study from Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin shows that while heat remains the strongest driver of Colorado potato beetle abundance, other weather and landscape factors also play key roles in predicting outbreaks.
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