Wind
trajectories Related to Diamondback Moth (DBM) and Aster Leafhopper
Introductions to the Canadian Prairies in 2015
BACKGROUND: Potential wind events capable of carrying insect pests from source areas in the USA can be identified by following trajectories for air parcels through time. High altitude air masses, originating from southern locations, frequently move northerly to Canadian destinations. Insect pest species such as Diamondback moth and Aster leafhoppers, traditionally unable to overwinter above the 49th parallel, can utilize these air masses in the spring to move north from Mexico and the United States (southern or Pacific northwest).
Wind trajectory data processing by AAFC-Saskatoon Staff began in April. Reverse Trajectories track air masses arriving across the prairies back to their point of origin. Forward Trajectories predict favourable winds expected to arrive across the Canadian Prairies.
Updated: April 25-27, 2015
1. Reverse
trajectories
a. Pacific
Northwest (PNW) - 49 Reverse trajectories (RTs) were recorded on the Prairies
from northwest USA between April 25-27, 2015.
b. Mexico
and SW USA (SW) – Five locations (4 in MB and 1 in SK) reported RT’s that
originated from southern Texas over this same time frame.
2. Forward trajectories