The accurate representation of surface characteristic is an important process to simulate surface energy and water flux in land-atmosphere boundary layer.  Coupling crop growth model in land surface model is an important method to accurately express the surface characteristics and biophysical processes in farmland.  However, the previous work mainly focused on crops in single cropping system, less work was done in multiple cropping systems.  This article described how to modify the sub-model in the SiBcrop to realize the accuracy simulation of leaf area index (LAI), latent heat flux (LHF) and sensible heat flux (SHF) of winter wheat growing in double cropping system in the North China Plain (NCP).  The seeding date of winter wheat was firstly reset according to the actual growing environment in the NCP.  The phenophases, LAI and heat fluxes in 2004–2006 at Yucheng Station, Shandong Province, China were used to calibrate the model.  The validations of LHF and SHF were based on the measurements at Yucheng Station in 2007–2010 and at Guantao Station, Hebei Province, China in 2009–2010.  The results showed the significant accuracy of the calibrated model in simulating these variables, with which the R2, root mean square error (RMSE) and index of agreement (IOA) between simulated and observed variables were obviously improved than the original code.  The sensitivities of the above variables to seeding date were also displayed to further explain the simulation error of the SiBcrop Model.  Overall, the research results indicated the modified SiBcrop Model can be applied to simulate the growth and flux process of winter wheat growing in double cropping system in the NCP. 

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), which is native to North America, emerged as a major invasive insect pest of multiple crops in Asia at the beginning of the 21st century.  Considering the economic significance of this insect and its rapid worldwide spread, we examined the possible factors driving its invasions.  In this paper, we summarize the life history traits of P. solenopsis conceivably related to population development in invaded regions; these traits include its use of diverse host plants, reproductive capacity and mode, adaptation to temperature, response to food shortage, and insecticidal resistance.  Then, focusing on the multiple trophic interactions that may promote or hinder invasion, we review the mutualistic relationship of this mealybug with ants and predation and parasitism by natural enemies.  Finally, we suggest topics for future research and provide our perspective on the biological invasions of this mealybug.  We speculate that specific biological factors associated with this mealybug, particularly its wide host range, high reproductive potential, evolved changes in life history traits, and mutualism with ants have played important roles in its invasions, allowing this pest to become established and rapidly increase its population upon its introduction into new regions.