Depth of Seed Burial and Gender Influence Weed Seed Predation by Three Species of Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Ground beetles are postdispersal weed seed predators, yet their role in consuming buried seeds is not well studied. We conducted greenhouse experiments to investigate how seed burial affects consumption of weed seeds (volunteer canola) by adult ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Seed burial depth influenced seed consumption rates as demonstrated by a significant interaction between seed burial depth, carabid species, and gender of the carabid tested. We observed higher seed consumption by females of all species, and greater consumption of seeds scattered on the soil surface compared with seeds buried at any depth. However, there was evidence of seed consumption at all depths. Adults ofPterostichus melanarius(Illiger) andHarpalus affinis(Schrank) consumed more buried seeds than did those ofAmara littoralisMannerheim. Agricultural practices, such as tillage, bury seeds at different depths and based on the results of this study, these practices may reduce seed consumption by carabids. Soil conservation practices that reduce tillage (conservation or zero tillage) will favor greater weed seed predation due, in part, to the high availability of seeds at the soil surface or at shallow soil depths.

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DISPERSAL OF GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) ON SOIL SURFACE

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z65-046 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 465-473 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

I. Rivard

Keyword(s):

Ground Beetle ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Ground Beetles ◽

Cereal Crops ◽

Pitfall Traps ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Dispersal Rate ◽

Pterostichus Melanarius

Marked adults and pitfall traps were used to study the dispersal on soil surface of four ground beetle species. Compared recaptures of Pterostichus melanarius Ill. and Harpalus erraticus Say released into two different plots indicated that carabids disperse more rapidly in cultivated than in cereal crops and that males of both species are usually more active than females. No difference, however, in the activity and dispersal rate could be established between sexes for H. compar Lec. and H. pennsylvanicus DeG. Each of the three following species tended to disperse in a different direction: P. melanarius toward the southwest, H. compar toward the northwest, and H. pennsylvanicus toward the northeast. The relatively high proportion of recoveries suggests also considerable wandering movements of the beetles inside the plots.

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Seedbank persistence of four summer grass weed species in the northeast cropping region of Australia

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0262288 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. e0262288

Author(s):

Bhagirath Singh Chauhan ◽

Sudheesh Manalil

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Integrated Weed Management ◽

Burial Depth ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Weed Species ◽

Seed Persistence ◽

No Till ◽

Buried Seeds ◽

Grass Weed

Summer grass weed species are a particular problem in the northeast cropping region of Australia because they are prolific seeders and favor no-till systems. Information on weed seed persistence levels can be used for the development of effective and sustainable integrated weed management programs. A field study was conducted over 42 months to evaluate the seedbank persistence of Chloris truncata, C. virgata, Dactyloctenium radulans, and Urochloa panicoides as affected by burial depth (0, 2, and 10 cm). Regardless of species, buried seeds persisted longer than surface seeds and there was no difference in seed persistence between 2 and 10 cm depths. Surface seeds of C. truncata depleted completely in 12 months and buried seeds in 24 months. Similarly, C. virgata seeds placed on the soil surface depleted in 12 months. Buried seeds of this species took 18 months to completely deplete, suggesting that C. truncata seeds persist longer than C. virgata seeds. Surface seeds of D. radulans took 36 months to completely deplete, whereas about 7% of buried seeds were still viable at 42 months. U. panicoides took 24 and 42 months to completely exhaust the surface and buried seeds, respectively. These results suggest that leaving seeds on the soil surface will result in a more rapid depletion of the seedbank. Information on seed persistence will help to manage these weeds using strategic tillage operations.

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“Active” Weed Seed Bank: Soil Texture and Seed Weight as Key Factors of Burial-Depth Inhibition

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11020210 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 210

Author(s):

Stefano Benvenuti ◽

Marco Mazzoncini

Keyword(s):

Seed Bank ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Seed Weight ◽

Clay Soil ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Burial Depth ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Buried Seeds ◽

Persistent Seed Bank

The ability of weeds to survive over time is highly dependent on an ecological strategy that ensures a high level of viable seed remains in the soil. Seed bank persistence occurs because of the specific characteristics of seed dormancy and longevity and the hypoxic microenvironment, which surrounds the buried seeds. These experiments investigate the role of soil texture, burial depth, and seed weight in seed bank dynamics. Seeds of twelve weed species are sown at increasing depths in various soil textures, and emergence data are used to detect the burial depth at which 50% and 95% inhibition is induced, using appropriate regressions. Clay soil is found to increase the depth-mediated inhibition, while it is reduced by sandy particles. In each soil texture, the highest level of inhibition is found for the smallest seeds. Seed weight is found to be closely related to the maximum hypocotyl elongation measured in vitro, and consequently, the seedlings are unable to reach the soil surface beyond a certain depth threshold. However, the threshold of emergence depth is always lower than the potential hypocotyl elongation. The depth-mediated inhibition of buried seeds is even more pronounced in clay soil, highlighting that the small size of clay particles constitutes a greater obstacle during pre-emergence growth. Finally, the role of soil texture and weed seed size are discussed not only in terms of evaluating the layer of “active” seed bank (soil surface thickness capable of giving rise to germination and emergence), but also in terms of developing a consistent and persistent seed bank. Finally, the role of soil texture and weed seed size are discussed, and the layer of “active” seed bank (the soil surface thickness that enables germination and emergence) is assessed with the aim of developing a consistent and persistent seed bank. Assessing seed bank performance when buried under different soil textures can help increase the reliability of the forecast models of emergence dynamics, thus ensuring more rational and sustainable weed management.

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Ground beetles (Carabidae) of field margin habitats

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-020-00424-y ◽

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.

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

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent120917-10 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 120 (10) ◽

pp. 917-925 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

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.

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Buttonweed emergence as affected by seed burial depth and straw on the soil surface

Scientia Agricola ◽

10.1590/0103-9016-2014-0400 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 72 (6) ◽

pp. 489-494 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bianca Assis Barbosa Martins ◽

Pedro Jacob Christoffoleti

Keyword(s):

Soil Surface ◽

Burial Depth ◽

Seed Burial

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

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z88-089 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 66 (3) ◽

pp. 599-604 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

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.

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Pest and weed seed predation in field defects within oilseed rape crops

ARPHA Conference Abstracts ◽

10.3897/aca.2.e37075 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Ezequiel González ◽

Miroslav Seidl ◽

Martin Štrobl ◽

Tomáš Kadlec ◽

Marco Ferrante ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oilseed Rape ◽

Seed Predation ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Ground Beetles ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Feeding Guilds ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Weed Species ◽

Activity Density ◽

Field Defects

Non-crop habitats can act as refuge for insects in agricultural landscapes and increase ecosystem services (ESs) in neighboring arable fields. Among the different types of non-crop habitats, field defects are temporary patches where sown plants are poorly developed and other plant species emerge. These defects can be common and large in years with extreme weather conditions. However, their relevance as habitat for beneficial insects and ESs provision is unknown. Here, we quantified two ESs (pest and weed seed predation) in field defects within oilseed rape crops and related ESs levels with the activity-density of ground beetles and temperature. In 10 fields, we used artificial caterpillars made of plasticine and seed cards of two weed species (Taraxacum sp. and Stellaria sp.) to quantify ESs in two sampling periods (spring and summer) and in three habitat types: field defects, standardly grown crop (field interiors) and crop-defect boundaries. Ground beetles were sampled using pitfall traps and classified into feeding guilds and body size classes. Insects and mammals were the main pest predators and predation increased in summer, but did not differ among habitats. Seed predation rates for both species were significantly higher in summer. Predation of Taraxacum seeds was higher at field interiors, whereas predation of Stellaria was significantly higher at field interiors and defects, compared to crop-defect boundaries. Insect predation increased with the activity-density of medium and large carnivorous carabids, whereas seed predation for both weed species was positively related to the activity-density of medium-sized herbivorous carabids. Finally, temperature was negatively linked to predation of artificial caterpillars and seeds of Taraxacum.

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Effects of crop rotation and genetically modified herbicide-tolerant corn on ground beetle diversity, community structure, and activity density

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/n09-017 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 142 (2) ◽

pp. 143-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

S. Bourassa ◽

H.A. Cárcamo ◽

J.R. Spence ◽

R.E. Blackshaw ◽

K. Floate

Keyword(s):

Community Structure ◽

Weed Management ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Ground Beetle ◽

Ground Beetles ◽

Weed Density ◽

Activity Density ◽

Herbicide Tolerant ◽

Pterostichus Melanarius ◽

Structure And Activity

AbstractGround beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were sampled in conventional and genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) corn, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), planted under rotation with canola, Brassica L. (Brassicaceae), or continuously cropped corn to investigate the influence of corn variety and rotation on the structure of carabid assemblages. Corn variety, cultivation regime, and their interaction all influenced overall carabid activity density. Weed management associated with corn variety influenced the activity density of a few carabid species and this was attributed to changes in vegetation. Some smaller bodied carabids such as Bembidion quadrimaculatum L. were less abundant in GMHT plots, probably because weed density was higher in midseason, but the opposite was observed for larger bodied carabids such as Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger). Overall, rotating corn with canola had a stronger effect on carabid community structure than did corn variety. We suggest that GMHT corn has little impact on the overall carabid fauna but may influence the activity of certain species through effects on the weed community.

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Postdispersal Weed Seed Predation and Invertebrate Activity Density in Three Tillage Regimes

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-d-15-00030.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 63 (4) ◽

pp. 828-838 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Rocio van der Laat ◽

Micheal D. K. Owen ◽

Matt Liebman ◽

Ramon G. Leon

Keyword(s):

Seed Predation ◽

Ground Beetles ◽

Reduced Tillage ◽

Zero Tillage ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Common Waterhemp ◽

Common Lambsquarters ◽

Field Crickets ◽

Activity Density ◽

Choice Feeding

Field experiments were conducted near Boone, IA, to quantify postdispersal seed predation of common lambsquarters and common waterhemp in corn (2003) and soybean (2004) managed with conventional, reduced, and zero-tillage systems. Seed predation in each tillage regime was quantified using selective exclusion treatments during July through September 2003 and June through October 2004. In addition, the activity density of ground-dwelling invertebrates was estimated with pitfall traps. Choice and no-choice feeding trials were conducted in the laboratory using the most abundant weed seed predators found in the field to determine seed preferences of the potential predator organisms. The greatest seed loss occurred during July and August. In 2003, seed predation was lower in zero tillage than in conventional and reduced tillages, but no differences in seed predation between tillage regimes were observed in 2004. Maximum seed predation for common lambsquarters was 53% in 2003 and 64% in 2004. Common waterhemp seed predation reached 80% in 2003 and 85% in 2004. The majority of seed predation was by invertebrate organisms. The most common invertebrate species captured with pitfall traps were field crickets (Gryllus pennsylvanicusDe Geer [Gryllidae, Orthoptera]) and ground beetles (Harpalus pensylvanicusBurmeister [Coleoptera, Carabidae]). In 2003, field crickets were relatively more abundant in conventional and reduced tillage than in zero-tillage plots. In 2004, field crickets were more abundant in the reduced tillage than in the other two tillage regimes. No differences were detected for ground beetles among tillage regimes (P = 0.57). Choice and no-choice feeding experiments confirmed the preferences of field crickets and ground beetles for common lambsquarters and common waterhemp seeds over the larger seeds of giant foxtail and velvetleaf. Under field conditions, the activity density of field crickets was a significant predictor of common lambsquarters (r2= 0.47) and common waterhemp (r2= 0.53) seed predation. Positive relationships were also detected between the activity density of ground beetles and common lambsquarters (r2= 0.30) and common waterhemp (r2= 0.30) seed predation. This research demonstrated that weed seed predation is an important component affecting weed seedbanks and that crop management practices that favor the activity of predators such as field crickets or ground beetles could influence weed populations. Also, the results suggested that tillage is more important in determining the number of weed seeds available on the soil surface to predators than directly affecting predator activity density.

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