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Importance of generalist epigeal predator species in a cereal field: predation on baits
Author(s) -
Tolonen T.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1995.tb01254.x
Subject(s) - predation , biology , predator , epigeal , generalist and specialist species , ecology , habitat
An experiment was carried out using bait cards to assess the contribution of different polyphagous predators in a wheat field to degree of predation. Activity abundancy of predators was measured by pitfall trapping. In June the most abundant carabids were Bembidion guttula, B. properans and Clivina fossor , later Pterostichus melanarius and Trechus discus. Staphylinids and spiders were most abundant in July. The total number of predators increased towards the end of the season. Predatory pressure was assessed using Drosophila melanogaster pupae as bait on small bait cards placed on the soil twice a week from 4/6–6/8. At the beginning of the experiment, predation was lower than later. Degree of predation varied between plots within every two‐week period. According to the model obtained, Amara sp. contributed to predation 9/7–7/8. Bembidion guttula contributed to predation in every period, B. properans 4–14/6. Clivina fossor contributed to predation from the middle of June to the beginning of August, as did Trechus discus. Staphylinids contributed to predation 18–27/6 and 23/7–7/8 and spiders 18/6–19/7. Patrobus atrorufus and Synuchus nivalis contributed to predation 23/7–7/8, although not many were caught in the traps.