Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2004) 112, 183-190

Karin M. Nienstedt and Hans-Michael Poehling (2004)
Prey to predator transfer of enriched ¹⁵N-contents: basic laboratory data for predation studies using ¹⁵N as marker
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 112 (3), 183-190
Abstract: As an alternative to methods currently used to study predation under field conditions, we propose to mark prey with ¹⁵N, and to subsequently trace this label in the food chain. Preliminary laboratory work to develop this method is presented. The ¹⁵N-content of polyphagous predators that have ingested ¹⁵N-marked aphids was analysed with respect to: time after ingestion, the number of ingested ¹⁵N-aphids, ingestion of additional non-marked prey, and predator size. Increased ¹⁵N-contents were detected in solid feeders [Platynus dorsalis (Pontopiddan), Coleoptera: Carabidae], as well as in fluid feeders [Erigone atra (Blackwall), Araneae: Linyphiidae] up to 11 days after ingestion. The increased ¹⁵N-levels were constant over time from a few days after ¹⁵N-ingestion onwards, and correlated with the number of ingested ¹⁵N-aphids. The ingestion of additional non-marked prey had no statistically significant influence on the predators'¹⁵N-contents. The ¹⁵N-contents of carabid species with varying biomasses could be compared directly. Our results are compared with literature data of other methods (e.g., ELISA).
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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
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Erigone atra (predator)
Anchomenus dorsalis (predator)