Epigeal aphidophagous predators and the role of alfalfa as a reservoir of aphid predators for arable crops
Pons, X.(Universitat de Lleida (Spain). Centre UdL-IRTA)E-mail:[email protected] | Nunez, E.(Consejeria de Agricultura y Alimentacion, Zaragoza (Spain))E-mail:[email protected] | Lumbierres, B.(Universitat de Lleida (Spain). Centre UdL-IRTA) | Albajes, R.(Universitat de Lleida (Spain). Centre UdL-IRTA)
The relative occurrence and seasonal abundance of aphidophagous predators (Insecta and Arachnida) were determined in alfalfa fields at two locations in the northeast Iberian Peninsula, using D-Vac and sweep-net sampling techniques. Among the insects, Heteroptera, Dermaptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera and Diptera were found. Members of the families Nabidae, Anthocoridae, Miridae and Staphylinidae were very common. Polyphagous predators were much more abundant than aphid specific species. The abundance of predators was weakly explained by aphid abundance. Alfalfa, maize and winter cereals shared similar aphid predator groups, which may be explained by the fact that these crops partially coincided in time. The persistence of several predatory groups (Anthocoridae, Nabidae, Staphylinidae, Araneae) during most of the season suggests that alfalfa plays a major role as a reservoir of aphid predators.
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