Experimental Substrate Affects Rate of Seed Removal in Assays of Invertebrate Seed Predation

Abstract

Postdispersal seed predation by ground beetles may be an important form of biological weed control. Field experiments conducted in 2002 and 2003 determined invertebrate seed predators' ability to detect and remove seeds from different experimental substrates. Predation of wild mustard and common lambsquarters was greater when seeds were presented on sand compared with the two types of synthetic finishing pads; however, predation of velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, and hairy galinsoga was unaffected by substrate. Predation rates were not consistent across all experimental substrates. Estimates of invertebrate predation of common lambsquarters, yellow foxtail, and velvetleaf were greater for seeds offered on sand or synthetic pads than for seeds offered on soil or double-sided tape covered with soil. Although each substrate would be useful to estimate treatment effects on relative predation rates, the weed species by substrate interaction should be considered when comparing predation rates across experiments or when the absolute rate predation is of critical importance.