Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2004) 112, 191-200

Karin M. Nienstedt and Hans-Michael Poehling (2004)
Invertebrate predation of ¹⁵N-marked prey in semi-field wheat enclosures
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 112 (3), 191-200
Abstract: In order to explore the suitability of using ¹⁵N as marker in predation studies, a semi-field test was carried out. This study focused on epigeic polyphagous predators in a wheat field using ¹⁵N-marked aphids as prey. The ¹⁵N-aphids were released in enclosures. Eight days after their release the whole predator fauna of the enclosures was caught, and predators were analysed for ¹⁵N-content.
More than 80% of the predators showed an enriched ¹⁵N-content. The ¹⁵N-enrichments varied between taxonomic groups, species, sex, and individuals, providing an extensive data set for the analysis of predation. Competition between predators could be inferred, as well as an estimation of the number of consumed aphids. During this experiment, the carabids Platynus dorsalis (Pontoppidan) and Calathus melanocephalus (L.), the staphylinid Philonthus cognatus Stephens, and the spider Oedothorax apicatus (Blackwall) were the most efficient polyphagous predators upon aphids, in agreement with literature data which was based on other methods.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Hans-Michael Poehling

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Calathus melanocephalus (predator)			Germany
Oedothorax apicatus (predator)			Germany
Philonthus cognatus (predator)			Germany
Anchomenus dorsalis (predator)			Germany