The impact of field edges on the incidence of Meligethes aeneus Fab. larvae and their parasitisation in spring and winter oilseed rape
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences,Kreutzwaldi St. 64, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia; e-mail: eve.veromann@loodusfoto.ee
Abstract:
The occurrence of Meligethes aeneus larvae and their parasitism rate was studied at the edges and in the centres of commercial spring and winter oilseed rape fields in Estonia. Insecticides were used in spring oilseed rape but not in winter oilseed rape fields. Significantly more larvae were found at the field edges than in centres of both crops, but they were more abundant in winter oilseed rape. The larval parasitism rate was significantly greater at field edges than in centres only in winter rape; in spring oilseed rape parasitism was more evenly distributed. But there were no differences in pollen beetle parasitisation rates between crops.
Key words:
larval parasitism, Meligethes aeneus, spring and winter oilseed rape