Identifying factors determining the altitudinal distribution of the invasive pest leafminers Liriomyza huidobrensis and Liriomyza sativae

Abstract

Abiotic and biotic factors that change with altitude can influence the distribution of herbivorous insects. We examined factors influencing the distribution of the generalist leafminers . Liriomyza sativae Blanchard and . Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard (Diptera: Agromyzidae), two pests of agricultural crops, in the tropical Dieng mountainous area of Central Java, Indonesia. . Liriomyza huidobrensis predominated at altitudes above 700 m a.s.l. and was the only species collected above 1 400 m a.s.l. In contrast, . L. sativae predominated below 600 m a.s.l. and was not found above 1 200 m where the average temperature was 20.7 °C. Parasitoid diversity decreased with altitude, but parasitism d..