Estimating Rates of Arthropod Predation on Velvetbean Caterpillar Larvae in Soybeans
Abstract
A method is presented for partitioning estimates of total larval mortality into that attributable to arthropod predators and that attributable to other factors. Mark-release-recapture and direct observation techniques are used in combination to derive estimates of mortality inflicted by all predators and to identify the predator species responsible for the mortalities on small and medium larvae. Daily rates of arthropod predation on velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, larvae ranged from 0-25% per day for small larvae and 0-73% per day for medium larvae in 2 soybean fields. Nabids consumed the greatest proportion of small and medium larvae in one field, whereas imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, were the major consumer of small and medium larvae in the other field. Results demonstrate that the total mortality inflicted by all predators can be the same for predator complexes with different species composition.Downloads
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