The importance of beneficial arthropods other than natural enemies in cereal fields.

Abstract

The term 'beneficial' when applied to crop-dwelling arthropods is usually associated with either predatory species (usually coccinellids) or pollinators (usually honeybees). There are however many other groups of species that fulfil a beneficial role within cereal crops. These include the so-called chick-food group; several orders or guilds of insects that are important components in the diet of other farmland species, especially birds. The importance of the food items of young gamebird chicks is particularly well documented. This paper discusses aspects of their biology, their vulnerability to agricultural practices and their importance within cereal fields.