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ARTHROPOD PREDATORS IN CABBAGE (CRUCIFERAE) AND THEIR POTENTIAL AS NATURALLY OCCURRING BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS FOR PIERIS RAPAE (LEPIDOPTERA: PIERIDAE)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Mark A. Schmaedick  and
Anthony M. Shelton
Mark A. Schmaedick*
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, New York, United States 14456
Anthony M. Shelton
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, New York, United States 14456
*
1 Author to whom all corresponding should be sent at the following address: Land Grant Program, American Samoa Community College, Box 5319, Pago Pago, American Samoa, United States 96799.
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Abstract

We used three sampling methods to identify the arthropod predators most abundant and active in fields of cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata, and determined those most likely to be important predators of the imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae L., by testing the predators’ abilities to forage on cabbage plants and to feed on Pieris rapae in small arenas in the laboratory. Abundance and activity in the field were monitored with pitfall traps, sticky traps applied directly to leaves, and plant samples. Four criteria were used to assess the species’ potential value as a predator of Pieris rapae in cabbage: relatively high overall abundance in trap catches and plant samples, occurrence on plant foliage in the field, a high propensity to feed on Pieris rapae eggs and first instars, and the ability to search for larval Pieris rapae on cabbage plants. Four species, the wolf spider Pardosa milvina (Hentz) (Araneae: Lycosidae), the harvestman Phalangium opilio L. (Opiliones: Phalangiidae), and the lady beetles Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), demonstrated these attributes, although all four species appeared unable to search for prey on some parts of the cabbage plants, owing to unsure footing on the plants’ slippery cuticular wax. Linyphiids (Araneae) and syrphids (Diptera), the most abundant taxa in the plant samples, may prove better at thoroughly searching cabbage plants, but remain to be tested in future laboratory trials. Our results show that only a small portion of the predatory arthropod species that occur in cabbage fields is likely to prey on Pieris rapae on the plants, although important questions remain about the roles of some taxa. Future efforts to enhance biological control of Pieris rapae by naturally occurring predators can now focus on further elucidating and finding ways to enhance the roles of those predators that are effective.

Résumé

Nous avons identifié les prédateurs arthropodes les plus abondants et actifs sur le choux, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata, en utilisant trois méthodes de recensement en champ. Ensuite nous avons identifié les espèces de ces arthropodes les plus susceptibles d’être des prédateurs efficaces de la piéride du chou, Pieris rapae L., en utilisant un examen en laboratoire de leurs aptitudes à rechercher des proies sur plantes entières et à consommer des piérides du chou (oeufs ou larves). Nous avons recensé l’abondance et l’activité de ces prédateurs potentiels au moyen de pièges à fosses, de pièges gluants déposés sur feuilles et d’échantillonages de plantes. Nous avons utilisé quatre critères pour évaluer le potentiel de chaque espèce étudiée : son abondance relative dans les pièges et sur plantes, l’efficacité de sa recherche de proies sur plantes, et sa consommation d’oeufs et de larves de Pieris rapae. Quatre espèces se sont avérées intéressantes : la lycose Pardosa milvina (Hentz) (Araneae : Lycosidae), l’opilion Phalangium opilio L. (Opiliones : Phalangiidae), et les coccinelles Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake et Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera : Coccinellidae). Cependant, chacune de ces espèces est incapable de consommer des piérides sur certaines parties de la plante en raison de la présence de cires épicuticulaires qui gênent leurs déplacements. Il est possible que les linyphiidés (Araneae) et les syrphides (Diptera), les prédateurs les plus abondants dans nos échantillons de plantes entières, ne sont pas gênés par ces cires. Néanmoins, leurs aptitudes à rechercher des proies sur plantes entières reste à être évaluée. Nos résultats montrent que seule une petite proportion des prédateurs présents aux champs ont le potentiel d’être des prédateurs efficaces de Pieris rapae. Le rôle de ces prédateurs pourrait être accentué dans un programme de lutte biologique contre Pieris rapae basé sur l’utilisation de prédateurs naturellement présents dans les champs de choux.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 132 , Issue 5 , October 2000 , pp. 655 - 675
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2000

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