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Can polyphagous predators control the bird cherry‐oat aphid ( Rhopalosiphum padi ) in spring cereals?: A simulation study
Author(s) -
Ekbom B. S.,
Wiktelius S.,
Chiverton P. A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.1992.tb00674.x
Subject(s) - aphid , predation , biology , rhopalosiphum padi , predator , population , agronomy , population density , infestation , ecology , pest analysis , botany , aphididae , homoptera , demography , sociology
Predation by two carabid species, Bembidion lampros (Herbst.) and Pterostichus cupreus L., on the cereal aphid, Rhopalsiphum padi L., was described using a discrete event simulation model. The results were incorporated into an aphid population growth model. The aphid model was run using actual temperatures, R. padi emigration rates, field densities and distributions from three years with distinctly different aphid population levels. Predation was incorporated at different time periods. Predation during the arrival of emigrants and establishment of aphid populations had approximately the same effect as predation over the entire aphid period, whereas predation during the 20 days prior to peak had very little effect on resulting peak populations. We conclude that a) yearly levels of R. padi infestation are mainly determined by the volume and intensity of emigrants; b) peak levels are sensitive to changes in predator density; and c) in some cases an outbreak of R. padi may be prevented by the action of spring active polyphagous predators alone.