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Predation pressure in maize across Europe and in Argentina: an intercontinental comparison.

Authors :
Ferrante, Marco
Lövei, Gábor L.
Magagnoli, Serena
Minarcikova, Lenka
Tomescu, Elena Larisa
Burgio, Giovanni
Cagan, Ludovit
Ichim, Mihael Cristin
Source :
Insect Science; Jun2019, Vol. 26 Issue 3, p545-554, 10p
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

Humankind draws important benefits from large‐scale ecological processes termed ecosystem services, yet the status of several of them is declining. Reliable monitoring methods are essential for tracking the status of ecosystem services. Predation is the mainstay of natural pest control, a key ecosystem service. We used green plasticine caterpillars to monitor predation pressure, and to obtain baseline data on predator activity in transgenic Bt versus non‐Bt maize fields in Old and New World countries. Predation pressure was measured at ground and canopy levels using an identical, small‐plot experimental design in four European countries (Denmark, Slovakia, Romania and Italy) and Argentina. Total predation rate in maize was 11.7%d−1 (min. 7.2%d−1 in Argentina, max. 29.0%d−1 in Romania). Artificial caterpillars were attacked both by invertebrates (mostly chewing insects with 42.0% of the attack marks, and ants with 7.1%, but also predatory and parasitoid wasps, spiders and slugs), and vertebrates (small mammals 25.5%, and birds 20.2%). Total predation at ground level (15.7%d−1) was significantly higher than in maize canopies (6.0%d−1) in all countries, except Argentina. We found no significant differences between predator pressure in Bt versus non‐Bt maize plots. The artificial caterpillar method provided comparable, quantitative data on predation intensity, and proved to be suitable for monitoring natural pest control. This method usefully expands the existing toolkit by directly measuring ecological function rather than structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjects

Subjects :
PREDATION
CORN
BIRD food
PRESSURE

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16729609
Volume :
26
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Insect Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
135425334
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.12550