(2)

Melanoplus differentialis, which is a pest native to the Americas, causes serious damage to landscape trees and farmland. It has adapted to the domestic environment and is on the rise. M. differentialis was first identified on natural habitat in 2020 in Ulsan. This study aims to identify the habitat status, host plants, and ecological characteristics of M. differentialis in South Korea. Melanoplus differentialis overwinters in egg pods in the ground. Nymphs were identified from April, and adults from June to November. M. differentialis was distributed in a region, which consisted of 16 orders, 18 families, and 32 species of host plants, among which M. differentialis preferred species of Asteraceae and Fabaceae plants. On measuring the soil temperature at oviposition sites during the overwintering season, the minimum soil temperature in winter was 0.37 degrees C from December 2020 to March 2021 and 2.3 degrees C from December 2021 to March 2022. The results provide basic data that could facilitate the minimization of damage to ecosystems and crops by determining the habitat status and ecological characteristics ofM. differentialis in South Korea.

来源平台：BIOINVASIONS RECORDS