The diet of some predatory arthropods in cereal crops.

Abstract

The value of predators within an integrated control programme is widely recognized and they may play an important role in reducing pest numbers in field crops. Dempster & Coaker (1974) found that undersowing Brussels sprouts with clover enhanced some predator populations and reduced the numbers of several pest species, whilst Hull (1974) considers that the non-specialized arthropod predators resident in sugar beet fields may restrict aphid populations. Predation of cabbage root fly (Hylemya brassicae (Bouché)) eggs in brassicas provides another example of non-specific predators reducing a pest population (Wishart, Doane, & Maybee 1957).

Little is known of the effect of predators on the pests of cereals. The present paper deals with the food of some of the beetles found in cereal fields and forms part of a study on the role of predators and parasites of cereal pest populations (see Potts & Vickerman 1974).