Journal of Applied Entomology (2015) 139, 712-720
F. Madeira and X. Pons (2015)
Effects of weed density on the dispersal of Orius majusculus Reuter (Heteroptera Anthocoridae) within maize
Journal of Applied Entomology 139 (9), 712-720
Abstract: Orius majusculus Reuter (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is the most common and abundant generalist predator in Spanish maize crops and is sensitive to drastic changes in weed density. We carried out a 2-year study in the NE Iberian Peninsula to examine the dispersal of O. majusculus in maize plots with moderately high and low weed density. Insects were collected using yellow sticky traps and/or a bug-vac aspirator. Dispersal was assessed using rubidium as a marker. Dispersal rate of O. majusculus differed between sampling periods, with a maximum between the 16 unfolded leaves (V16) to grain milky (R3) maize growth stages. However, we detected no differences in the distance moved by male and females of O. majusculus from rubidium-marked areas in plots with moderately high or low weed density suggesting that changes in weed density do not affect the dispersal of O. majusculus within a maize field.
(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): Xavier Pons, Filipe Madeira
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology
environment/habitat manipulation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Orius majusculus (predator) | Spain (continental) |