Influence of hedgerow and grassy field borders on ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) activity in fields of corn |
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| Institution: | 1. Sustainable Agricultural Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK;2. Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AR, UK;1. Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada;2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada;3. Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Winnipeg, MB R6M 1Y5, Canada;1. Department of Environment, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Gontrode, Belgium;2. Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium;3. Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Burgemeester Van Gansberghelaan 109, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium;4. Department of Applied Biosciences, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000, Ghent, Belgium;1. Institute of Landscape and Environment (ILU), University of Applied Science Nürtingen-Geislingen, 72622, Nürtingen, Germany;2. Department of Agroecology, Flakkebjerg Research Center, Aarhus University, 4200, Slagelse, Denmark;3. Department of Ecology, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary;4. Landscape Ecology and Vegetation Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany;5. Agroecology, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany;6. Lendület Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót, Hungary |
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| Abstract: | Agricultural landscapes may be manipulated in ways that benefit predatory invertebrates by providing alternate food sources, overwintering sites, and refuge from farming activities. Ecological theory predicts that complex plant communities should support a richer community of natural enemies of pest insects than a simple plant community. A study was conducted in Iowa, USA to investigate the influence of the vegetative diversity of field boarders on the activity, species richness, and community similarities of predatory beetles occurring in corn fields.Ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) populations were compared among corn fields bounded by either complex hedges or simple grass edges. Directional pitfall traps were used to investigate activity patterns of beetles between border types and their adjacent corn fields. Beetles were trapped during four seasonal periods, based on the growth stage of corn. During corn emergence (May–June) when fields are barren, carabids were more active and species richness was higher in the corn fields bordered by woody hedges. The carabid species Scarites quadriceps, Scarites subterraneus, and Harpalus pensylvanicus, were more dominant in hedge sites as compared to grass sites at this time. Following corn–canopy closure, carabids were now more active in fields bordered by grassy edges, but beetle activity also remained high in the fields adjacent to woody hedges. Further analysis of the carabid communities by Bray–Curtis Similarity Index showed no difference among field edge types at any time of the season. Results indicate that both complex and simple field border habitats support abundant and diverse populations of carabids during most of the growing season. However, during the early growing season hedges appear to be more important than grass edges in supplying carabid beetles to corn fields. Woody hedges may serve as very important overwintering sites and as an early season refuge for predatory beetles in corn. |
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