scholarly journals Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as predators of conifer seeds

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Zdenka Martinková ◽  
Stanislava Koprdová ◽  
Ján Kulfan ◽  
Peter Zach ◽  
Alois Honěk
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Choice Experiments ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Mortality Factor ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Coniferous Species ◽  
Conifer Seeds ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius ◽  
Polygonum Lapathifolium ◽  
Seed Coats

AbstractMany species of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are important predators of seeds. While the consumption of herb seeds has been intensively studied, little attention has been paid to the consumption of seeds of gymnosperm plants. Here, we determined the consumption of seeds of six coniferous species by four common carabid species and compared carabid preference for conifer and selected common angiosperm weed seed species. In no-choice experiments, the large carabid species Pseudoophonus rufipes preferentially consumed the seeds of Picea abies, Larix decidua and Pinus sylvestris. Pinus sylvestris was also preferred by another large carabid, Pterostichus melanarius. The smaller carabids Harpalus affinis and H. rubripes consumed conifer seeds reluctantly. The intensity of seed consumption by carabids decreased with increasing seed size. In choice experiments, both of the large carabid species preferred the small conifer seeds of P. sylvestris and L. decidua over herb seeds of similar size (Dipsacus fullonum, Galeopsis speciosa, Polygonum lapathifolium). Carabids may prefer conifer seeds because of their soft seed coats, regardless of their chemical protections. Postdispersal predation of seeds by carabids may be an important mortality factor in some conifer species.

scholarly journals Ground beetles (Carabidae) of field margin habitats

Biologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 1631-1641
Author(s):  
Janina Bennewicz ◽  
Tadeusz Barczak
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Field Margin ◽  
Poecilus Cupreus ◽  
The Status ◽  
Beetle Assemblages ◽  
Anchomenus Dorsalis ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the role of field margin habitats in preserving the diversity and abundance of ground beetle assemblages, including potentially entomophagous species and those with conservation status in Poland. Research material was collected in 2006–2007 in four types of margin habitats – a forest, bushes, ditches and in two arable fields. Insects were captured into pitfalls, without preservation liquid or bait added to the traps. Traps were inspected twice a week, between May and August, and one sample was a weekly capture. In field margin habitats the most abundant species were Limodromus assimilis, Anchomenus dorsalis, Pterostichus melanarius and Carabus auratus. A lower abundance of species was noted on fields, with dominant Poecilus cupreus and P. melanarius. The group of zoophagous carabids found in our study includes 30 species from field margin habitats, i.e. 37.5% of all captured Carabidae taxa and 58.3% of all specimens. The share of aphidophagous species was 84.9% among bushes, 86.7% near ditches, and 88.0% in the forest habitat. Several species captured during the study are under protection in Poland. These include the partly protected Carabus convexus, which also has the status of near threatened species, the partly protected Calosoma auropunctatum, and Broscus cephalotes. Considering all the investigated field margin habitats, ground beetles were most numerous in the oak-hornbeam habitat, defined as bushes, formed predominantly by Prunus spinosa, Crataegus leavigata, Sambucus nigra and Rosa canina. Thus, this habitat was the most important reservoir/refugium for the ground beetles.

Variation and genetics of ribonucleases and phosphodiesterases in conifer seeds

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 711-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Mejnartowicz ◽  
F. Bergmann
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Test Material ◽  
Starch Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Endosperm Tissue ◽  
Isoenzyme Variation ◽  
Conifer Seeds ◽  
Starch Gel

Using techniques of starch gel electrophoresis, isoenzymes of ribonuclease 11 (RNase, EC 3.1.4.23) and phosphodiesterase I (PDase, EC 3.1.4.1) could be identified in endosperm tissue from dry seeds of three conifer species: Norway spruce (Picea abies). Scots pine (Pinus silvestris), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). The RNase patterns mostly exhibited a relatively great number of isoenzyme bands as well as a considerable tree-to-tree variation, whereas the PDase system revealed only one enzyme zone in each of the three seed species. Furthermore, an isoenzyme variation within the PDase zones appeared to be very infrequent and could only be detected in Norway spruce and Douglas fir. However, the isoenzyme patterns of RNase as well as PDase showed significant differences between the conifer species. The genetic basis of the intraspecific isoenzyme variations could be easily analyzed, since the test material (seed endosperm) represented haploid tissues resulting from macrogametophytes after fertilization. Hence, it was possible to identify three polymorphic RNase gene loci in Douglas fir seeds, two in Scots pine seeds, and one in Norway spruce seeds. The PDase zone in each conifer species was controlled by one gene locus which revealed allelic forms only in Norway spruce and Douglas fir seeds.

THE TOXICITY OF INSECTICIDES BY CONTACT AND SOIL TREATMENT TO TWO SPECIES OF GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE)

1975 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 529-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Tomlin
Keyword(s):  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Soil Treatment ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Spray Tower ◽  
Pest Insects ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius ◽  
Soil Insecticides ◽  
Serial Dilutions

AbstractAdults of predatory carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of the species Stenolophus comma Fabricius field-collected from light traps were bioassayed against several soil insecticides along with laboratory reared larvae of the predatory carabid Pterostichus melanarius Illiger. Adult S. comma beetles were exposed to serial dilutions of insecticides using a Potter spray tower; larvae of P. melanarius were exposed to insecticidally treated Plainfield sand. Fensulfothion, phorate, methomyl, carbofuran, and O,O-diethyl-S(tertbutylthio) methyl phosphorodithioate (Counter®) proved to be highly toxic to adult S. comma with a 0.01% solution causing mortalities > 65%. In the bioassay of P. melanarius larvae, Counter®, phorate, heptachlor, aldrin, and O-(2-chloro-1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)vinyl) O-methyl ethylphosphonothioate (WL 24073) produced mortalities > 75% at 0.1 p.p.m. in Plainfield sand. The Pterostichus larvae which are probably important as predators of pest insects appear quite susceptible to several important soil insecticides. Chlorfenvinphos, leptophos, and p,p′-DDT were fairly innocuous to both adults and larvae.

GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) AS PREDATORS OF THE CODLING MOTH, CYDIA POMONELLA (L.) (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

1988 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 917-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmer A.C. Hagley ◽  
W.R. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Cydia Pomonella ◽  
Codling Moth ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius ◽  
Amara Aenea

AbstractPterostichus melanarius Ill. was the predominant ground beetle recovered in pitfall traps in three blocks of apple trees at Jordan Station, Ont. In one block, C, the number of mature fifth-instar larvae of Cydia pomonella (L.) seeking overwintering sites was related significantly (r2 = 0.5476, P < 0.05) to the number of P. melanarius caught, but was not related significantly (r2 = 0.1181, P > 0.10) to the proportion of beetles that were serologically positive. The proportion of larvae pupating also was not related significantly (r2 = 0.2014, P > 0.10) to the number of P. melanarius. The total number of all predators caught was related significantly (r2 = 0.4490, P < 0.05) to the number of larvae present, but the proportion of larvae that pupated was not related significantly (r2 = 0.3606, P > 0.05) to the total number of predators.In block A, in 1983–1985, the number of mature larvae of C. pomonella seeking overwintering sites was not related significantly (r2 = 0.3763, 0.3619, and 0.5042, P > 0.05, respectively) to the number of P. melanarius taken in pitfall traps. In both blocks A and B, the number of serologically positive beetles was not related significantly (r2 = 0.3824 and 0.7921, P > 0.10, respectively) to the number of larvae seeking overwintering sites.Amara aenea DeG., Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis F., Bembidion quadrimaculatum oppositum Say, Clivinia impressifrons LeC., Diplochaeila impressicolis (Dej.), Harpalus aeneus F., and Pterostichus chalcites Say also gave positive serological reactions to the antiserum against C. pomonella.The occurrence of other species of Lepidoptera did not affect significantly the results obtained for C. pomonella.

scholarly journals Conservation Hedges:

2019 ◽  
pp. 71-100
Author(s):  
Martin Gardner ◽  
Tom Christian ◽  
William Hinchliffe ◽  
Rob Cubey
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Material ◽  
Taxus Baccata ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Botanic Garden ◽  
Small Space ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Safe Sites ◽  
Coniferous Species ◽  
Great Capacity ◽  
Large Numbers

In May 2014, the first planting of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) conservation hedge took place, when the Reverend Anne Brennan planted a tree which had originated as a cutting from the ancient and historic European yew, Taxus baccata, in the churchyard of her church at Fortingall, Perthshire. This is one of almost 2,000 plants that will eventually form a conservation hedge of significant scientific and conservation value. The International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP), based at RBGE, has actively sought other opportunities to establish conservation hedges via its network of ‘safe sites’, using a range of different conifer species. This initiative is being driven by the potential for relatively large numbers of genotypes from a single threatened species to be stored in a linear space. It is well established that seed banks have a great capacity to store large amounts of genetic diversity, so we should simply consider conservation hedges in a similar manner. These super-hedges cram relatively large amounts of genetic material into a small space, capturing a great range of wild traits and potentially contributing to the restoration of wild populations. To date, conservation hedges have been planted at five separate locations at RBGE’s Edinburgh Garden as well as at four ICCP external ‘safe sites’. Although this article focuses on the establishment of conservation hedges using conifers, we have also highlighted some conservation hedges that comprise non-coniferous species.

Predatory behavior of two species of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) towards juvenile salamanders (Plethodon vehiculum)

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 599-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ovaska ◽  
M. A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Antipredator Behavior ◽  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Predatory Behavior ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius

Carabid beetles are suspected to prey on terrestrial salamanders, but no records of this exist. We examined the behavior of two species of ground beetle (Scaphinotus angusticollis and Pterostichus melanarius) towards juvenile western red-backed salamanders (Plethodon vehiculum) in staged laboratory encounters. We predicted that the beetles would show more aggression towards small (snout–vent length (SVL) ≤30 mm) than large (30 < SVL ≤ 40 mm) juvenile salamanders, as small individuals frequently had missing tails (indicating predation) in the field. Our additional objective was to examine antipredator behavior of P. vehiculum. Scaphinotus angusticollis approached, bit, and climbed on the salamanders more frequently than P. melanarius did, but neither beetle behaved differently towards small and large salamanders. Small juveniles jerked away more frequently than larger individuals when bitten by P. melanarius and when climbed on by S. angusticollis, but otherwise the behavior of salamanders of the two size classes did not differ. After overnight encounters, the injuries on the salamanders included missing toes and tail tips and skin lacerations. Scaphinotus angusticollis consumed an additional six P. vehiculum, and P. melanarius consumed three. The damage was unrelated to the size (SVL) of the salamanders, but all individuals consumed were among the smallest we tested. We suggest that in terms of both its morphology and its behavior, S. angusticollis is better suited than P. melanarius to prey on P. vehiculum, and probably preys on hatchlings in the wild.

NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY AND REARING OF TWO SPECIES OF GROUND BEETLES, PTEROSTICHUS MELANARIUS AND HARPALUS PENSYLVANICUS (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE)

1975 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan D. Tomlin
Keyword(s):  
Mass Culture ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Oviposition Rate ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Rearing Method ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius

AbstractAdult carabid beetles of the species Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer) and Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) were collected from a cultivated field near London, Ont., and brought into the laboratory for observation and mass culture in terraria; the culture method is described. Both species oviposited successfully in the laboratory; P. melanarius produced as many as 134 eggs/female over a 6-month period, whereas H. pensylvanicus deposited only about 10 eggs/female under similar conditions. However, percentage emergence in Harpalus was substantially higher (62.6) than with Pterostichus (36.8 and 45.7). Large numbers of first- and second-instar P. melanarius larvae may be obtained by using the rearing method described. The low oviposition rate of H. pensylvanicus made large-scale rearing of this species difficult.Observations are made on the mating behaviour and adult parasitization by horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) of Pterostichus.

Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Relation to Agricultural Crops

1966 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Rivard
Keyword(s):  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Cereal Crops ◽  
First Year ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Field Margins ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius

AbstractA three-year study on the seasonal occurrence of ground beetles was conducted in five fields with different crop rotations. More than 10,000 individuals representing 102 species were captured in pitfall traps. The relatively high total number of species collected the first year probably resulted from the particular location of the traps along field margins and close to woodlands. The variation observed between the areas studied was not necessarily related to the kind of crop. A progressive augmentation in beetle activity and population appeared to coincide with an increase in the humidity of the habitats and with the cultures in the following order: pasture grass, forage, cultivated, and cereal crops. This indicates that the nature of the crop influences beetle numbers, and from this it may he inferred that it also influences the extent to which the beetles exert a control influence on pest species. Of the eight species present every year and found in practically every field, Pterostichus melanarius Ill., Harpalus pennsylvanicus DeG., and H. compar Lec. were the most numerous.

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