Eur. J. Entomol. 102 (3): 519-525, 2005 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2005.074

Epigeal aphidophagous predators and the role of alfalfa as a reservoir of aphid predators for arable crops

Xavier PONS1, Eva NÚÑEZ2, Belén LUMBIERRES1, Ramon ALBAJES1
1 Universitat de Lleida, Centre UdL-IRTA, Avda. Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain; e-mails: xavier.pons@irta.es; bel.lumbierres@pvcf.udl.es; ramon.albajes@irta.es
2 Consejeria de Agricultura y Alimentación, Gobierno de Aragón, Avda. Montañana 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain; e-mail: enunnez@aragob.es

The relative occurrence and seasonal abundance of aphidophagous predators (Insecta and Arachnida) were determined in alfalfa fields at two locations in the northeast Iberian Peninsula, using D-Vac and sweep-net sampling techniques. Among the insects, Heteroptera, Dermaptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera and Diptera were found. The relative abundance of predators was similar at the two locations. Polyphagous predators were much more abundant than aphid specific species. Heteroptera were the most abundant order of insect predators: members of the Nabidae, Anthocoridae and Miridae were very common. Coleoptera were also abundant, represented mainly by the family Staphylinidae. Coccinellidae were less abundant and their occurrence coincided with maximum aphid presence. There was a low occurrence of other aphid-specific predators, i.e. Diptera: Syrphidae and Neuroptera: Chrysopidae. Arachnida varied between localities (from 35% to 65%). Over a five-year period, numerical responses by Orius spp., Nabis provencalis and Coccinellidae to aphids were found using polynomial regression models; however the abundance of predators was weakly explained by aphid abundance. Alfalfa, maize and winter cereals share similar aphid predator groups and these crops partially coincide in time, enabling the movement of predators among crops. The persistence of several predatory groups (Anthocoridae, Nabidae, Staphylinidae, Araneae) during most of the season suggests that alfalfa plays a major role as a reservoir of aphid predators.

Keywords: Alfalfa, aphid predators, Nabidae, Anthocoridae, Coccinellidae, Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Araneae

Received: September 10, 2004; Revised: March 31, 2005; Accepted: April 6, 2005; Published: August 15, 2005  Show citation

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PONS, X., NÚÑEZ, E., LUMBIERRES, B., & ALBAJES, R. (2005). Epigeal aphidophagous predators and the role of alfalfa as a reservoir of aphid predators for arable crops. EJE, 102(3), 519-525. doi: 10.14411/eje.2005.074
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