Interactions between predatory ground beetles, the winter moth and an introduced parasitoid on the Lower Mainland of British Columbia

Abstract

This study describes assemblages of predatory ground beetles in native birch forest and derived blueberry farms on the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and investigates their role in the successful biological control of winter moth ( Operopthera brumata L.) by the parasitoid Cyzenis albicans Fallén. Pitfall traps at four sites in 1991 and 1992 indicated that natural birch forest was dominated by native carabid species, while open blueberry was dominated by introduced species and some native xerophilous species. Predation by generalist invertebrates was an important mortality factor for both winter moth and C. albicans at all sites and was greatest in the first 2 weeks after pupation. Ground beetles including Harpalus affinus (Schrank) and Pterostichus spp. consumed winter moth pupae in arenas but adult beetles rarely consumed C. albicans pupae. Much of the overall predation was due to smaller invertebrates including beetle larvae. Predators actively searched for buried pupae and selected among pupal types based on condition (dead, parasitised or healthy) and size. Prey-selection differed among sites but C. albicans pupae were preferred at three of the four sites. At the remaining site, an organic blueberry farm, over 90% of both parasitised and healthy pupae were consumed. High levels of predation did not affect the levels of parasitism by C. albicans at the sites. This herbivore–parasitoid–predator system demonstrates the importance of naturally occurring predatory invertebrates for successful integrated pest management, even where they prey upon a biological control agent.