The management type used in plum orchards alters the functional community structure of arthropod predators

Abstract

The management practices in agroecosystems can alter the community structure of pests’ natural enemies, which can consequently disturb their biocontrol function. Here, we investigated how organic or conventional farming influence the community structure of arthropod predators (spiders, coccinelids, anthocorids, ants) in orchards. The three conventional orchards studied were plum tree monocultures where mainly fungicides were applied. The three organic orchards studied were dominated by plum trees with admixture of apple trees and no agrochemical was applied. We found that management significantly affected only spiders that were less abundant in the conventional orchards than in the organic orchards. In addition, the conventional management resulted in reduced species density and altered the community composition of spiders. The conventional management reduced the functional dispersion of spider body size, which may narrow the size-spectrum of pests that could be reduced by spiders. The conventional management also reduced abundances of foliage hunters and space-web spiders. Since these spiders are effective against various insect pests, the conventional management of applying fungicides might result in increased crop damage via increased insect pests.     

中国小花蝽核型研究(半翅目:花蝽科)

采用姬姆萨染色空气干燥压片法，对花蝽科小花蝽属中国小花蝽的核型作了研究。结果表明：该种单倍染色体组成为n=11A X(Y)。根据性染色体行为和系统发育角度，在花蝽科内中国小花蝽可能是进化者。图1参8     

Natural Enemies of the Frankliniella Complex Species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Ataulfo Mango Agroecosystems

A field survey was conducted in Ataulfo mango (Mangifera indica L.) orchards in Chiapas, Mexico, with the objective of determining the natural enemies of the Frankliniella complex species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Seven species of this genus feed and reproduce in large numbers during the mango flowering. Two representative orchards were selected: the orchard “Tres A” characterized by an intensive use of agrochemicals directed against thrips, and the orchard “La Escondida” that did not spray insecticides. During mango flowering, five inflorescences were randomly collected every 5 d in both orchards, for a total of 18 sampling dates. Results revealed the presence of 18 species of arthropods that were found predating on Frankliniella. There were 11 species in the families Aeolothripidae, Phlaeothripidae, Formicidae, Anthocoridae and Chrysopidae; and seven species of spiders in the families Araneidae, Tetragnathidae, and Uloboridae. Over 88% of predators were anthocorids, including, Paratriphleps sp. (Champion), Orius insidiosus (Say), Orius tristicolor (White), and O. perpunctatus (Reuter). The orchard that did not spray insecticides had a significantly higher number of predators suggesting a negative effect of the insecticides on the abundance of these organisms.     

Development,Survival, and Reproduction of Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) Reared on Frankliniella invasor (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The minute pirate bug Orius insidiosus (Say) is an important predator in mango agroecosystems. It attacks several species of thrips, particularly Frankliniella invasor Sakimura, which is considered a species of economic importance in mango. We investigated the effect of six diets on the development, survival, and reproduction of O. insidiosus: 1) first instars of F. invasor, 2) second instars, 3) adults, 4) pollen, 5) pollen plus thrips larvae, and 6) water. Individuals fed on thrips larvae, with or without pollen, completed their immature development significantly faster. Nymphs of O. insidiosus were able to complete their development feeding on pollen only, while individuals that received water as a diet were unable to reach the adult stage. The highest intrinsic growth rate was obtained when O. insidiosus were fed on pollen plus thrips larvae, and the lowest when individuals were fed on thrips adults. Our studies show that a diet of pollen plus F. invasor larvae is optimal for O. insidiosus development and population growth.     

中国花蝽科昆虫多样性及分布格局

在对中国花蝽科昆虫多样性分布统计的基础上,构建数据库,采用特有性简约分析方法,对中国花蝽科昆虫的地理分布格局和物种多样性进行探讨。结果表明,风蝶在中国8个生物地理大区均有分布,且表现出南部比北部丰富、北部比南部原始的特征,华南区和西南区的凤蝶多样性最为丰富。     

The anthocoridae of Israel (heteroptera)

Data are presented on the 26 species of Anthocoridae of Israel, five of which are new to this country. Five species are abundant; two of them (both monophagous) reduce significantly the populations of their preys —Elatophilus hebraicus Per. feeding onMatsucoccus josephi (Coccoidea: Margarodidae), a destructive pest of Aleppo pine, andMontandoniola moraguesi (Put.) feeding onGynaikothrips ficorum (Thysanoptera), deforming the leaves ofFicus microcarpa; the three other abundant species areAnthocoris nemoralis (F.) — preying mostly on psyllids and aphids,Scoloposcelis pulchella (Zett.) — destroying the young stages of pine bark beetles, andCardiastethus nazarenas Reut. — feeding on many groups of small arthropods. Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization. No. 2621-E, 1989 series.     

中国花蝽类昆虫动物地理学研究

对有较详细分布资料的20属93种花蝽类昆虫进行了分析.结果表明:中国花蝽类昆虫其区系组成以东洋界为主体,计33种,占总数的35.48%,跨古北、东洋二界24种,占总数的25.81%,古北界23种,占总数的24.73%;在世界范围内,中国花蝽类昆虫种的分布类型大致可分为5种,如中国特有分布型、世界性分布型、东亚分布型、古北和东洋界共有分布型、全北界分布型;在中国动物地理区划中,西南、华南两区分布的种类最多,合计占总数的32.26%,可见两区关系密切.     

Population development of Phorodon humuli and predators (Orius spp.) within hop cones: Influence of aphid density on hop quality

The price of hops in Spain is given per kilogram of dry product and according to their content of alpha-acids. If any aphids are noted inside cones there is a penalty of up to 10% of the dry weight. Experiments were performed in a hop garden in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to investigate population development of the damson-hop aphid, Phorodon humuli, and its natural enemies in hop (Humulus lupulus) cones. Furthermore, we investigated if the alpha-acid content was affected by aphid populations. Aphids were first observed within hop cones at the beginning of August and numbers rose sharply from mid- to late August onwards. Aphid infestation of cones reflected the numbers observed on foliage in July, with a greater population halfway up the bines (3 m height) than at the top (6 m height). The alpha-acid content of dried hops was unaffected by the aphid population on leaves, but aphid contamination reduced the economic value of the crop because of arbitrary commercial criteria related to the presence of aphids in cones. The hop aphid’s main natural enemies within cones were anthocorids, all belonging to the genus Orius. The anthocorid population in cones grew in tandem with the aphid population, suggesting that these predators are worthy of consideration in an integrated management approach.