Augmentation of beneficial arthropods by strip-management

Summary A 5-year-field experiment was performed in a meadow to test the effect of strip-management (small unmown strips alternating with broad mown strips, Fig. 1) on the abundance and composition of arthropods. The species number and density of most predator groups increased from year to year. The succession (parallel to the development of the unmown strips) favoured more specialized species, so that the initial pioneer species become less abundant in consecutive years. In spiders, this succession leads from a dominance of Linyphiidae to a dominance of Lycosidae; the spider biomass increases and probably predator pressure by spiders is augmented. The stability of the predator community (measured as the variance of their frequency in successive years) is higher than that of the phytophagous groups. Under strip-managed conditions the abundance (activity density) of most arthropod groups decreases by an average of ca. 12%. The trophic levels, however, are affected to different extents and strong species-specific preferences were found as well. These combined effects lead to constant increase in the ratio of predacious and parasitic to phytophagous insects in the strip-managed area and probably lead also to an increase of the predator pressure facing phytophagous insects. Strip-management is discussed as an important technique among integrated methods for the biological control of pests.     

Abiotic and biotic factors influencing the winter distribution of predatory insects

Summary Various environmental factors were investigated to analyse those involved in successful overwintering and possibly overwintering site selection for Tachyporus hypnorum and Demetrias atricapillus, both important coleopteran predators of cereal aphids. The results of the study indicated food supply to be important for both predator species during the winter period, although the role of biotic factors in site selection in the autumn could not be clearly demonstrated. The winter distribution of the two species could, however, be explained well in terms of abiotic factors. It is suggested that these and other similar predator species have well-defined overwintering requirements and that these can be exploited in the management of field boundary habitats.     

Effects of intercropping systems on community composition and diversity of predatory arthropods in vegetable fields

Field trials were carried out on Langqi Island, Fujian, PR China in 2004, to determine the effects of intercropping Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) with green cabbage (Brassica oleracea), garlic (Allium sativum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), on community composition and diversity of predatory arthropods in vegetable fields. Two intercropping plots were designed and used in this study. In plot 1, two ridges of Chinese cabbage were intercropped with one ridge of garlic (CG1), lettuce (CL1) or green cabbage (CB1). In plot 2, the Chinese cabbage was planted in the center (100 cm wide) of the ridge, and under-sown with garlic (CG2), lettuce (CL2) or green cabbage (CB2) on both edges (25 cm wide) of the same ridge. A monoculture plot of the Chinese cabbage (CK) was arranged for comparison with plots 1 and 2. The highest species richness was found in CG1, and the lowest in CK. The highest abundance was found in CL1 (141.67 predators/plot), whereas the lowest was in CB1 (97.67 predators/plot). With the exception of CL1, significantly higher diversity indices were found in intercropping treatments than in CK. The majority of spiders sampled from fields were from families Theridiidae (34.04%) and Lycosidae (30.57%). These findings suggest that Chinese cabbage intercropped with non-cruciferous crops might increase species richness, abundance and diversity of the arthropod community in general and predators in particular.     

Effects of intercropping systems on community composition and diversity of predatory arthropods in vegetable fields

Field trials were carried out on Langqi Island, Fujian, PR China in 2004, to determine the effects of intercropping Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) with green cabbage (Brassica oleracea), garlic (Allium sativum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), on community composition and diversity of predatory arthropods in vegetable fields. Two intercropping plots were designed and used in this study. In plot 1, two ridges of Chinese cabbage were intercropped with one ridge of garlic (CG1), lettuce (CL1) or green cabbage (CB1). In plot 2, the Chinese cabbage was planted in the center (100 cm wide) of the ridge, and under-sown with garlic (CG2), lettuce (CL2) or green cabbage (CB2) on both edges (25 cm wide) of the same ridge. A monoculture plot of the Chinese cabbage (CK) was arranged for comparison with plots 1 and 2. The highest species richness was found in CG1, and the lowest in CK. The highest abundance was found in CL1 (141.67 predators/plot), whereas the lowest was in CB1 (97.67 predators/plot). With the exception of CL1, significantly higher diversity indices were found in intercropping treatments than in CK. The majority of spiders sampled from fields were from families Theridiidae (34.04%) and Lycosidae (30.57%). These findings suggest that Chinese cabbage intercropped with non-cruciferous crops might increase species richness, abundance and diversity of the arthropod community in general and predators in particular.     

Habitat factors influencing the distribution of polyphagous predatory insects between field boundaries

The winter distributions of a range of polyphagous predators were investigated in relation to field boundary structure. The distribution of Demetrias atricapillus was significantly positively correlated with the density of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) tussocks, and Forficula auricularia and Tachyporus chrysomelinus were significantly positively correlated with percentage cover of deciduous leaf litter, However, although densities of predators varied significantly between field boundaries, no further relationships were identified to explain the observed predator distribution patterns. It is suggested that detailed intensive investigations rather than the extensive approaches of the present study, are required to address questions relating to successful over wintering and selection of over wintering site.     

半自然农田边界与相邻农田步甲和蜘蛛的时空分布

分别于小麦、玉米收获前后,采用陷阱法调查了华北地区典型农业景观中具有不同植被结构的农田边界及其相邻农田中两类重要天敌类群步甲和蜘蛛的多样性.通过比较农田生境及相邻农田边界间两类天敌群落的时空分布格局及其与相邻半自然生境植被群落的相关关系,探讨半自然农田边界对两类天敌类群的保护作用.结果表明: 整个取样季节农田边界处蜘蛛的多度显著高于农田内部;而步甲多样性在农田与边界间无显著性差异,仅呈现不同的群落结构;作物收获后蜘蛛分科数在边界处的增加以及在农田的减少,显示了蜘蛛在农田和边界之间的迁移活动.边界植被结构对蜘蛛和步甲多样性有不同影响:边界较高的草本层盖度和较低的乔木层盖度有利于增加农田中某些步甲优势种的多样性;而较高的草本层盖度有利于增加皿蛛科蜘蛛的多样性.因此,半自然生境的存在可以通过天敌在农田和边界之间的迁移运动促进农田天敌多样性的维持;但不同类型半自然生境植被群落结构可能影响其对不同天敌群落多样性的维持和保护作用.为促进农业景观对天敌的保护作用,提高其害虫控制功能,需要深入了解不同天敌的生境需求及食物需求,精心设计有利于天敌多样性维持的半自然生境.     

New entomopathogenic nematodes from semi-natural and small-holder farming habitats of Rwanda

Five field surveys for indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) were conducted in 22 semi-natural and 17 small-holder farming habitats across 16 districts of different altitudes in the northern, eastern, southern and Kigali city provinces of Rwanda. In 2014, 216 mixed soil samples were collected and subsamples thereof baited with Galleria mellonella or Tenebrio molitor larvae. Five samples from five locations and habitats were positive for nematodes (2.8%). Nine nematode species/strains were isolated and five successfully maintained. DNA sequence comparisons and morphological examinations revealed Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, as well as two steinernematids and one heterorhabditid with no species designation. The isolates (strains) were named Steinernema sp. RW14-M-C2a-3, Steinernema sp. RW14-M-C2b-1, Steinernema carpocapsae RW14-G-R3a-2, H. bacteriophora RW14-N-C4a and Heterorhabditis sp. RW14-K-Ca. These are the first records of naturally occurring EPNs in Rwanda. It is also the first record of S. carpocapsae from Africa. Finding H. bacteriophora from tropical rather than temperate Africa was surprising. The found nematodes will serve as the basis for efficacy screening, and for mass production in a biocontrol agent factory at Rubona Research Centre of the Rwanda Agriculture Board with the ultimate aim of delivering effective, safe and environmentally benign pest control for soil-inhabiting pests.     

Enhancing pest control in annual crops by conservation of predatory Heteroptera

Conservation biological control (CBC) combines a diverse set of actions aiming to enhance pest regulation by the provision of pest natural enemies’ preservation in the crop environment. This is accomplished through appropriate implementation practices and the creation of infrastructures of non-crop vegetation. On most annual crops, omnivorous heteropteran predators comprise the main assemblage of native natural enemies. Their populations, when protected from pesticides, have shown a high potential in biological control. Aiming to promote their functioning in CBC, efforts targeted to modify the crop environment are focusing on the determination of their non-crop host plants that can support the predators’ persistence as well as the emigration of these predators to the nearby crops. Nonetheless, relatively few studies seek to collect essential and adequately verified data for the practical implementation of CBC approaches. In this review, the advances already developed are illustrated, the shortcomings are discussed and the future research needs are highlighted in an effort to intensify efforts for CBC developments on annual crops.     

Biodiversity analysis of natural arthropods enemies in vineyard agroecosystems in La Rioja,Spain

Major knowledge gaps exist regarding effects of landscape-level agroecosystem composition on the presence of natural enemies of agricultural pests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of landscape mosaic characteristics on the diversity of predators and parasitoids of a viticultural landscape in La Rioja, Spain. Five habitats were evaluated: Mediterranean forest, Mediterranean scrub, olive groves, natural grassland, and vineyards. In all, we collected 28,640 arthropods, representing 10 orders: Araneae, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Mantodea, Neuroptera, Solifugae, and Thysanoptera. The grassland habitat presented the highest arthropod abundances. Carabid beetles showed preferences for Mediterranean forest and scrub, whereas reduviid bugs showed preferences for natural grassland. Landscape heterogeneity and connectivity with natural elements in the study area turn out to be effective in conservation of diversity of natural enemies of viticulture.     

Landscape-scale forest cover increases the abundance of Drosophila suzukii and parasitoid wasps

Agricultural landscapes rich in natural and semi-natural habitats promote biodiversity and important ecosystem services for crops such as pest control. However, semi-natural habitats may fail to deliver these services if agricultural pests are disconnected from the available pool of natural enemies, as may be the case with invasive species. This study aimed to provide insights into the relationship between landscape complexity and the abundance of the recently established invasive pest species Drosophila suzukii and a group of natural enemies (parasitoid wasps), which contain species that parasitize D. suzukii in native and invaded ecosystems. The importance of landscape complexity was examined at two spatial scales. At the field scale, the response to introduction of wildflower strips was analysed, while the relationship with forest cover was assessed at the landscape scale. Half of the surveys were done next to blueberry crops (Vaccinium corymbosum), the other half was done in landscapes without fruit crops to examine effects of D. suzukii host presence. As expected, the number of observed parasitoid wasps increased with amount of forest surrounding the blueberry fields, but the number of D. suzukii individuals likewise increased with forest cover. Establishment of wildflower strips did not significantly affect the abundance of D. suzukii or parasitoid wasps and insect phenology was similar in landscapes with and without blueberry crops. This suggests that D. suzukii is enhanced by landscape complexity and is largely unlinked from the species group that, in its native range, hosts key natural enemies. Although management practices that rely on enhancing natural enemies through habitat manipulations can contribute to the long-term stability of agroecosystems and to control agricultural pests, other control measures may still be necessary in the short term to counteract the benefits obtained by D. suzukii from natural habitats.     

Nesting activity of cavity-nesting bees and wasps is lower in small-scale apple orchards compared to nearby semi-natural habitats

1. Commercially reared cavity-nesting bees have been studied mainly in large, intensively managed orchards. However, knowledge on wild cavity-nesting bee and wasp communities and their potential limitations in smaller orchards remain insufficient.
2. We compared the colonization rate of trapnests, nesting success, parasitism and response to flower resources of cavity-nesting bees and wasps between apple orchards and nearby semi-natural habitats (SNHs).
3. Trapnests were placed in orchards and neighbouring SNHs. Colonization dynamics were studied and herbaceous flower resources were estimated. Furthermore, nest and brood cell quantity, number of alive offspring and nest parasitism rate were assessed.
4. We found a higher colonization rate in the SNHs than in the orchards. Both bees and wasps made more nests, completed more brood cells and had a higher number of alive offspring in the SNHs. The number of bee nests in the orchards showed a positive correlation with the species richness of the flowering plants. The nest parasitism of wasps was higher in the SNHs.
5. Apple orchards in the studied small-scale system were generally less colonized by cavity-nesting hymenopterans than nearby SNHs that can be important reservoirs of these ecosystem service provider hymenopterans. Our results highlight the importance of diverse flowering herbaceous vegetation in the understory that increased the number of bee nests in orchards and that could have a positive effect on the nesting activity of the bee species active in summer. Therefore, management practices that support flowering plant species in the understory vegetation are highly recommended in such orchards.

     

Impacts of 2 species of predatory Reduviidae on bagworms in oil palm plantations

Integrated pest management (IPM) is widely practiced in commercial oil palm agriculture. This management system is intended to minimize the number of attacks by pest insects such as bagworms on crops, as well as curb economic loss with less dependency on chemical pesticides. One practice in IPM is the use of biological control agents such as predatory insects. In this study, we assessed the response of predatory natural enemies to pest outbreak and water stress, and document the habitat associations of potential pest predators. The abundances of 2 predatory insect species, namely Sycanus dichotomus and Cosmolestes picticeps (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), were compared bagworm outbreak sites and nonoutbreak sites within oil palm plantations. We also examined habitat characteristics that influence the abundances of both predatory species. We found that the abundance of C. picticeps was significantly higher in bagworm outbreak sites than in nonoutbreak sites. There were no significant differences in the abundance of S. dichotomus among outbreak and non‐outbreak sites. Both species responded negatively to water stress in oil palm plantations. Concerning the relationship between predatory insect abundance and in situ habitat quality characteristics, our models explained 46.36% of variation for C. picticeps and 23.17% of variation for S. dichotomus. Both species of predatory insects thrived from the planting of multiple beneficial plants in oil palm plantations. The results suggest that C. picticeps can be used as a biological agent to control bagworm populations in oil palm plantations, but S. dichotomus has no or little potential for such ecosystem service.     

坝上地区不同海拔农田和恢复半自然生境下尺蛾多样性

为研究生境恢复及地形变化导致的景观异质性对退化景观中生物多样性的影响,于2006和2007年对河北坝上3个不同海拔村庄的农田生境与恢复中的禁牧草地或再造林等半自然生境的尺蛾群落采用灯诱法进行取样调查,比较不同生境的尺蛾多样性.结果表明： 两种生境类型间物种数和个体数存在显著差异、不同海拔村庄物种数也存在显著差异,但不同海拔村庄间个体数差异不显著,不同海拔村庄间以及各村庄内农田和半自然生境稀疏标准化物种数和Fisher α指数无显著差异;非度量多维标度法(NMDS)显示不同海拔的不同生境下尺蛾群落结构显著不同.地形变化导致的景观异质性对坝上地区尺蛾群落组成及多样性影响显著,而无论是恢复中的草地、再造林等半自然生境还是农田生境均是维持尺蛾多样性的重要生境.注重不同地形条件下农田生境和半自然生境景观镶嵌体的保护对维持尺蛾群落γ多样性具有重要意义,但生境恢复能否促进尺蛾群落多样性恢复尚需长期监测.     

On the coexistence of three predatory stonefly species in a central Japanese stream

Three large-bodied stonefly species (Paragnetina tinctipennis, Oyamia lugubris, and Kamimuria tibialis) coexist in a central Japanese stream. These species have been classified as predators. Here we study their microhabitat use while focusing on the physical environments, physiological activity, and food resources. We show that Paragnetina uses a niche with faster currents than other species throughout the year. Oyamia has seasonal flexibility in microhabitat preference, physiological activity, and food resources. Kamimuria is a rather stable species, independent of seasonal patterns.     

Temporal variation of the effects of landscape composition on lacewings (Chrysopidae: Neuroptera) in vineyards

1. Increasing landscape heterogeneity, both in terms of composition and configuration, can promote natural enemies and biological control in agricultural landscapes. However, relatively poor information exists about the effects of landscape heterogeneity on lacewings, which are a major group of predators. Furthermore, temporal changes of landscape effects on natural enemy dynamics remain largely unexplored.
2. Here, we investigated how landscape composition and configuration affect lacewings and their biological control potential on leafhoppers. Lacewings and leafhoppers were sampled from April to July in 10 vineyards located in southwestern France. The vineyards were selected along a gradient of a proportion of semi‐natural habitats in the landscape.
3. The proportion of semi‐natural habitats positively affected the abundance of adults and eggs, as well as species richness, of lacewings, alone or in interaction with the sampling month. Landscape configuration was never found to enhance abundance or species richness of lacewings. Finally, the predator–prey ratio increased through time but did not respond to landscape composition or configuration.
4. Our study highlights that the proportion of semi‐natural habitats increases both abundance and diversity of lacewings in vineyard landscapes but that this effect varies over time. This result indicates the need to assess the variability of landscape effects over time to maximize biological pest control services in agricultural landscapes.

     

Return to preferred habitats (edges) as a function of distance in Akodon azarae (Rodentia, Muridae) in cropfield-edge systems of central Argentina

We studied the ability of Akodon azarae (Rodentia, Muridae) to return to their preferred habitat, when released at a perpendicular distance (25, 50 or 75 m) from the edge towards the cropfield, and a parallel distance (100 m) away from the site of first capture within the edge habitat. Return success was estimated as the proportion of animals recovered in edges. The recapture rate between the field and the border was significantly higher than the recapture rate estimated according to successive captures in the border. Successful returns did not decrease significantly with increasing release distance, but animals released at 50 m from edges were less successful in returning to borders than the other release-distance groups. Although the median time taken to the first recapture in edges did not differ among the release-distance groups, rodents released at 25 m and 50 m returned to edges faster than those released at 75 m. A. azarae showed both a successful return to the edge and a trend to return to the home range area. We conclude that A. azarae can return to edges from cropfields at distances that are larger than those they usually travel, allowing the use of fields when they present good conditions for reproduction and survival. Successful return is probably the result of direct movements rather than random wandering.     

Size-related deterioration of semi-natural grassland fragments in Sweden

Abstract. One of the most dramatic landscape changes during the 20th century in Sweden, like in most of Europe, has been the reduction and fragmentation of semi-natural grasslands. Using a set of remnant semi-natural grasslands, chosen to be as similar as possible, but differing in size, we have examined whether size of remnant fragments of traditionally managed semi-natural grasslands in Sweden is related to patterns of species richness and composition. We focused on edge-to-interior relationships, since we expected that a possible impact from invasive habitat generalists would be manifested in a gradient from the edge of fragments to their interior. We found no relationship between size of grassland fragments and (a) overall species richness, (b) species richness at different spatial scales, and (c) abundance of some typical invader species or species characteristic of semi-natural grasslands. However, the results indicated that larger grasslands have a comparatively larger number of species in the edges, whereas the opposite pattern was found in smaller grasslands. The similarity in species composition between the edge and the interior of the pastures also increased with grassland size. Thus, even though the overall species richness is still unaffected by reduction in grassland fragment size, the edges of smaller grasslands show signs of degradation, i.e. reduction in species richness and a decreased similarity to the grassland interior. We suggest that these kinds of effects may be early signs of fragmentation effects that in the future will result in species loss even if the present distribution of semi-natural grasslands is maintained.     

广东双季稻区杂草地和稻田中捕食性节肢动物的群落动态

用吸虫器采样法,于1998年对广东省大沙镇双季稻区两块相邻的杂草地和稻田中捕食性节肢动物群落的结构进行了研究。在杂草地生境中共采集到73种捕食性节肢动物,其中55种为蜘蛛,18种为昆虫。3月21日,早稻田翻耕前,在杂草地中采集到33种捕食性节肢动物,密度为130头/m²。4月4日,水稻移栽1周后,在杂草地中采到29种捕食性节肢动物,密度为92头/m²;同期在稻田中采到12种捕食性节肢动物,密度为16.2头/m2。5月13日早稻成熟前期,在杂草地中只采到19种捕食性节肢动物,密度为28头/m²;而此期,在稻田中采到27种捕食性节肢动物,密度为53.2头/m²。在晚稻生长期,杂草地捕食性节肢动物与稻田捕食性节肢动物物种数和密度的变化与早稻生长期情况相似。杂草地与稻田两生境间的捕食性节肢动物群落的相似性系数大于0.5,由此可见,这两类生境中捕食性节肢动物的物种组成是非常相似的,具有较多的共有种。杂草地捕食性节肢动物群落可能是稻田捕食性节肢动物群落重建的重要种库之一。