Plant Protection Science (2006) 42, 1-8

M. Rezác, S. Pekár and F. Kocourek (2006)
Effect of Bt-maize on epigeic spiders (Araneae) and harvestmen (Opiliones)
Plant Protection Science 42 (1), 1-8
Abstract: The effect of two strategies, used to control Ostrinia nubilalis, on the abundance and diversity of epigeic spiders and harvestmen in maize was monitored. The two strategies were (1) transgenic insect-resistant maize, and (2) biological control by Trichogramma wasps on an isogenic maize hybrid. They were compared with a conventional system (isogenic maize hybrid), which was taken as the control. The investigation was performed at two localities (Ivanovice na Hané and Prague) in the Czech Republic from 2002 to 2004. Spiders (Araneae) and harvestmen (Opiliones) were collected by means of pitfall traps. We found that the annual abundance and diversity of arachnids on plots with the two strategies were not significantly different from a conventional system. The overall abundance of spiders decreased over three years in all systems. There was no difference in the family and guild (hunters versus web-builders) composition between strategies and the conventional system. A displacement of linyphiid spiders with lycosids on all plots over time was observed. This change is attributed to the existence of a sparse weed cover of maize fields as a result of consecutive monocultural planting.
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Database assignments for author(s): Stano Pekar, Frantisek Kocourek

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
non-target effects/fate in environm.

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ostrinia nubilalis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Czech Republic
Trichogramma (genus - parasitoids)	Ostrinia nubilalis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Czech Republic
Bacillus thuringiensis genes in crops (entomopathogen)	Ostrinia nubilalis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Czech Republic