Effects of enhanced productivity of resources shared by predators in a food‐web module: Comparing results of a field experiment to predictions of mathematical models of intra‐guild predation

We compared the response to resource enhancement of a simple empirical model of intra‐guild predation (IGP) to the predictions of published, simple mathematical models of asymmetric IGP (a generalist IG Predator that feeds both on a specialist IG Prey and a Resource that it shares with the IG Prey). The empirical model was a food‐web module created by pooling species abundances across many families in a speciose community of soil micro‐arthropods into three categories: IG Predator (large predatory mites), IG Prey (small predatory mites), and a shared Resource (fungivorous mites and springtails). By pooling abundances of species belonging to broadly defined functional groups, we tested the hypothesis that IGP is a dominant organizing principle in this community. Simple mathematical models of asymmetric IGP predict that increased input of nutrients and energy to the shared Resource will increase the equilibrium density of Resource and IG Predator, but will decrease that of IG Prey. In a field experiment, we observed how the three categories of the empirical model responded to two rates of addition of artificial detritus, which enhanced the food of fungivores, the Resource of the IGP module. By the experiment''s end, fungivore densities had increased ~1.5× (ratio of pooled fungivore densities in the higher‐input treatment to plots with no addition of detritus), and densities of IG Predators had increased ~4×. Contrary to the prediction of mathematical models, IG Prey had not decreased, but instead had increased ~1.5×. We discuss possible reasons for the failure of the empirical model to agree with IGP theory. We then explore analogies between the behavior of the empirical model and another mathematical model of trophic interactions as one way to gain insights into the trophic connections in this community. We also propose one way forward for reporting comparisons of simple empirical and mathematical models.     

Manipulating field margins to increase predation intensity in fields of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The effectiveness of natural enemies to control pests can be enhanced through habitat manipulation. However, due to the differences in their ecology, generalist and specialist species may respond differently to the same manipulation. Moreover, interactions among natural enemies (i.e. cannibalism, intraguild predation, hyperparasitism) may complicate the assumption that a higher density of natural enemies would increase the level of biological control. We investigated the natural enemy guild composition and the predation rate along flower vs. grass margins at the edge of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields in Denmark. Natural enemies were sampled by pitfall trapping and by suction sampling; predation intensity was measured using two different sentinel prey methods: artificial caterpillars made of plasticine, and sentinel aphid colonies. Specialist and generalist species responded differently to the two margin types: specialists (mostly parasitic wasps) were attracted by the flower margins, while generalists (ground beetles, rove beetles and spiders) were more active in grass margins. The number of artificial caterpillars attacked was significantly greater in grass margins (mean = 48.9%, SD = 24.3) than in flower margins (mean = 30.7%, SD = 17.4). We found a significant positive relationship between the number of artificial caterpillars attacked by chewing insects, and activity density for large (≥15 mm) ground beetles. Predation of sentinel aphids in wheat fields did not vary significantly in relation to margin type. Our results suggest that flowering margins may be beneficial for canopy‐active specialist natural enemies, but grassy margins are more useful for ground‐active generalist predators.     

大气CO2浓度和气温升高对麦田节肢动物群落的影响

为了预测气候变化对麦田节肢动物群落多样性的影响, 本研究在麦田开放环境中设置4种处理, 分别是高温(高于当时气温2℃和当前CO₂浓度)、高CO₂浓度(500 μL/L和当时气温)、高温+高CO₂浓度和对照(当前CO₂浓度和气温)等, 采用定期随机抽样方法调查节肢动物群落的多样性, 用经典的多样性指数对整体节肢动物群落以及不同食性节肢动物群落多样性进行分析。共采到节肢动物3纲10目42科52种。仅“高温”和“高温+高CO₂”处理显著增大节肢动物群落的均匀度, 其余处理均无显著影响。“高温+高CO₂”处理的影响随小麦生长发育期不同而略有差异, 在苗期可增大Shannon-Wiener多样性指数, 而在后期使该指数减小; “高温+高CO₂”与“高温”处理的群落多样性较为相似。对不同食性节肢动物群落的分析表明, 与对照相比, 植食性昆虫群落在“高CO₂”下丰富度显著增大; 寄生性昆虫群落的多度在“高温”下显著增大; 腐食性等节肢动物群落的多度在“高CO₂+高温”和“高温”处理下有所增大、均匀度在“高温”下略降低, 但均未达统计上的显著水平; 捕食性节肢动物群落不受影响。本研究说明, CO₂浓度和气温升高不同程度地影响麦田节肢动物群落的物种多样性, 两类因素同时升高与各自单独升高的影响不完全一致。     

有机化梨园节肢动物群落时间动态的聚类分析

对北京顺义地区有机化梨园中2个不同栽培区节肢动物总群落、害虫及天敌亚群落分别进行时间动态的系统聚类。结果表明,在同一园区内,稀植区和密植区均以木虱为优势种类,相对丰盛度分别达0.3801、0.3300。总群落的24次调查结果稀植区可聚为5类,D=1.87,密植区聚为3类,D=1.80;害虫亚群落调查结果,当两区D=1.80时,稀植区可聚为3类,密植区可聚为4类;天敌亚群落调查结果稀植区聚为4类,D=2.12,密植区聚为5类,D=1.75。在早春的密植区和入秋的稀植区木虱发生量大,应加强监测,及时防治。     

福安三种不同茶园节肢动物群落的消长动态调查

根据对福建福安的3种不同茶园（天香有机茶园、北门高山茶园和溪柄平地茶园）的节肢动物群落消长动态调查。并经多样性分析,结果获知：福安3种茶园节肢动物群落的物种丰富度（s）和多样性指数（H）的大小顺序依次为：天香（S=19．64,H=2．537）〉北门（S=18．01,H=2．502）〉溪柄（S=17．59,H=2．297）;而均匀度指数的大小顺序是：北门（J=0．621）〉天香（J=0．595）〉溪柄（J=0．559）。表明植被比较丰富、人为干扰较少的茶园,节肢动物群落的物种丰富度、多样性指数和均匀度指数较高,害、益虫群落易于保持较好的平衡状态,有利于减少（或不使用）化学农药、发展绿色无公害茶叶生产。     

多作稻田生态系统对稻纵卷叶螟及其天敌功能团的影响

为探明稻田与非稻田生境时空配置对稻纵卷叶螟Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée)及其天敌功能团产生的生态学效应,分别于2007和2008年的中稻期,在福建省武夷山试验基地,采用室内观察法、田间剥查法和吸虫器法,系统调查了水稻多作系统和水稻单作系统内稻纵卷叶螟种群及其寄生蜂功能团和捕食性节肢动物个体数量的时序动态; 同时通过陷阱诱集法,调查了多作和单作稻田生境边界地表捕食性节肢动物（蜘蛛和昆虫）个体数量的时序动态,以及多作系统中,捕食性节肢动物在稻田和非稻田生境间的迁移动态。 结果表明：与辣椒、生姜、玉米和花生等镶嵌种植的稻田,其稻纵卷叶螟幼虫及其寄生蜂功能团个体数量较单一稻田差异不大,而捕食性节肢动物则明显少于单作稻田,但多作稻田边界较单作稻田边界有更多的捕食性节肢动物个体数量（2007年：多作稻田边界1984~2294个体,单作稻田边界1479个体;2008年：多作稻田边界3 417~4 178个体,单作稻田边界2 423个体）。 究其原因,主要由于多作系统中捕食性节肢动物更偏好从稻田向非稻田生境迁移,其中捕食性昆虫效应更明显。     

The Banker Plant Method in Biological Control

In the banker plant method, long-lasting rearing units for beneficials are created in the crop by distributing plants infested with herbivores or carrying other food items, such as pollen. The method has been widely investigated over many years and used to aid establishment, development and dispersal of beneficial organisms employed in biological control. In this review, we refine the definition of the banker plant method based on previous concepts and studies and offer the term “banker plant system” to describe the unit that is purposefully added to or established in a crop for control of pests in greenhouses or open field. The three basic elements of a banker plant system (banker plant, food source, beneficials) are discussed and illustrated with examples, and the diversity of banker plant systems (classified by target pest) used or investigated is documented. The benefits of using banker plant systems, such as low cost, increased freshness of beneficials, possibility for preventive control and for integration within IPM frameworks, make the method an interesting plant protection option with potential to enhance adoption of biological control in pest management programs.     

大豆田节肢动物群落优势种群时间生态位及营养关系分析

【目的】阐明大豆田节肢动物群落时间生态位及营养关系,为大豆害虫生态调控手段的实施提供坚实的理论依据。【方法】以大豆田节肢动物群落为研究对象,通过两年的田间系统调查分析。【结果】统计得到种类220余种,物种可分为天敌、害虫和中性昆虫3个类群,以天敌物种丰富度最高;害虫中以烟蓟马Thrips tabaci(0.36902)和大豆蚜Aphis glycines(0.13122)优势度最高,且有着较高的生态位重叠指数(0.8163),蚜小蜂Aphytis sp.和大草蛉Chrysopa septempunctata对害虫的时间生态位重叠指数很高,其他天敌如异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis、龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica、黑带食蚜蝇Zyistrophe balteata和黑食蚜盲蝽Deraeocoris punctulatus等对害虫的重叠指数居中;大豆田中各类群构成错综复杂的食物网结构。【结论】综合考虑天敌的种群数量,确定捕食性天敌是控制害虫种群数量的有效天敌。研究可知不能单纯从时间生态位的重叠指数的高低来判断天敌的控制能力。