Abstract
ABSTRACT Miscanthus x giganteus (Miscanthus) grass shelterbelts can deliver multiple ecosystem services on New Zealand commercial dairy farms. However, there has been little investigation into how these shelterbelts contribute to insect pest management. Here, on a Canterbury dairy farm, we investigated what generalist surface-dwelling invertebrate natural enemies of insect pests inhabit three separate Miscanthus shelterbelts compared to three unmanipulated field margin plots. The potential contribution of these natural enemy assemblages to future biological control was also investigated. To measure this, live moth egg baits with associated pitfall trapping were deployed in autumn, winter and spring of 2015. Miscanthus and the field margin plots were found to have similar potential natural enemy richness but differed in their community composition. The potential predation rate of pests in Miscanthus was 85% higher than in the field margin. Infrared video and Sanger sequencing confirmed that the harvestman Phalangium opilio and the slug Deroceras reticulatum consumed the egg baits in Miscanthus. Conversely, no bait-consuming invertebrates were identified in the field margin. These preliminary results indicate potential natural enemies inhabit Miscanthus and may consume insect pest eggs on the soil-surface. However, to achieve anyinsect pest suppression, further habitat manipulation would be required.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
