Sentinel prey settings differ in their ability to distinguish organic from conventional apple orchards and in their sensitivity to weather conditions during field exposure
IF 3.4 2区 农林科学Q2 BIOTECHNOLOGY & APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Determining factors that affect pest predation by natural enemies is essential for designing cropping systems that promote conservation biological control. Predation of sentinel prey has become an increasingly popular measure of predator activity for comparing fields with differing characteristics of interest. However, many different sentinel prey exist, and such studies rarely examine how the specific prey used influences their conclusions, especially in perennial crops. We compared the ability of four sentinel prey, placed either in the tree canopy (eggs of two Lepidoptera, Cydia pomonella and Ephestia kuehniella, and aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum) or on the ground (aphids, A. pisum, and seeds of Viola arvensis), to differentiate between organic and conventional apple orchards. Furthermore, we assessed whether their predation depended on weather conditions during field exposure. We monitored predation of these sentinel prey during two field sessions (April and May) over nine years in 14 apple orchards. Predation of aphids exposed for 24 h on the ground was always high. Predation of all other prey, except seeds, was higher in organic than in conventional orchards, particularly during the April field session. Additionally, the predation of seeds, and to a lesser extent of aphids, was influenced by weather conditions during exposure. Ephestia eggs emerged as a suitable choice for comparing predation by generalist predators among orchards, as they were easy to handle and their predation rates were positively correlated with those of aphids exposed in the tree canopy. Codling moth eggs displayed a somewhat different predation pattern and could be a valuable complement.
期刊介绍:
Biological control is an environmentally sound and effective means of reducing or mitigating pests and pest effects through the use of natural enemies. The aim of Biological Control is to promote this science and technology through publication of original research articles and reviews of research and theory. The journal devotes a section to reports on biotechnologies dealing with the elucidation and use of genes or gene products for the enhancement of biological control agents.
The journal encompasses biological control of viral, microbial, nematode, insect, mite, weed, and vertebrate pests in agriculture, aquatic, forest, natural resource, stored product, and urban environments. Biological control of arthropod pests of human and domestic animals is also included. Ecological, molecular, and biotechnological approaches to the understanding of biological control are welcome.