Laboratory studies of weed seed predation by carabid beetles.

Abstract

Cafeteria style feeding tests were conducted on the following carabid beetles: Harpalus rufipes. Amara aenea and Pterostichus melanarius. Beetles were offered two diets containing a selection of arable weed seeds, and one diet containing a mixture of food items including seeds, insects and plant' material. Results of ANOVA indicate that beetles had particular preferences for certain types of seeds. When given a mixed diet, seeds still accounted for between 30-62%.