Population dynamics and community structure of predatory insects in wheat fields
Author of the article:GONG Wei-Min** ZHANG Long WANG Shan LIU Zhi-Qi***
Author's Workplace:Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Key Words:wheat fields, predatory insects, community structure, dynamics
Abstract:
[Objectives] To improve
the biological control of wheat pests by investigating the population dynamics
and community structure of predatory insects in wheat fields. [Methods] Sweep-netting, pitfall traps, yellow plate and
malaise traps were used to collect regular samples of predatory insects which
were then identified in the laboratory. [Results] A total of 1 479
predatory insects from
22 species, 7 families and 4 orders were collected. Propylaea japonica (Thunberg, 1781) was the dominant species. Few predatory insects was collected
during the wheat jointing stage, both species number and the number of
individual specimens collected gradually increased from the heading to the
flowering period, after which species number continued to increase. The number
of individuals rapidly rose from the filling to maturing stage. The Shannon-wiener
diversity index (H¢) and Pielou evenness index (E) showed the same low-high-low-high trend over time, whereas the
Simpson dominant concentration (C)
and dominance (B) displayed a
high-low-high-low trend. [Conclusion] The data collected provides
basic information to improve the biological control of wheat pests.