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The effect of soil insecticides on the predators and parasites of the cabbage root fly ( Erioischia brassicae (Bouché)) and on the subsequent damage caused by the pest
Author(s) -
COAKER T. H.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1966.tb03833.x
Subject(s) - biology , aldrin , predation , cutworm , dieldrin , pest analysis , larva , parasitism , horticulture , botany , agronomy , toxicology , pesticide , ecology , noctuidae , host (biology)
SUMMARY Field experiments on the effect of residues of aldrin and dieldrin in the soil on the beetle predators of the cabbage root fly, showed that populations of adult carabid and staphylinid predators were altered by aldrin/dieldrin residues at concentrations of 0.06 p.p.m. and above. The lower insecticidal concentrations were aged residues which had become intimately mixed with the soil. Although the residues reduced the numbers of trapped Aleochara spp., concentrations below 0.5 p.p.m. increased the numbers of Bembidion lampros , probably because their movement was stimulated by the insecticide. Harpalus spp. and Feronia spp. were unaffected by residues below the concentration toxic to cabbage root‐fly eggs and larvae. The reductions of the predators implied by the trapping records increased the survival of the cabbage root‐fly eggs and larvae, thus leading to augmented damage to cauliflowers, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, which resulted in reductions in yield of up to 70%. Larval and pupal parasitism by Aleochara spp. and Idiomorpha rapae were also reduced by the insecticide residues, although concentrations of 0.2 p.p.m. and above were required to decrease parasitism by I. rapae.