Predators associated with crop pests of Brassica spp.in South Australia

摘要

Predators are important biological agents in the control of insect pests but,despite their importance,little is known about the breadth of their diets. This investigation was carried out to identify the arthropod predators that are most abundant and active in South Australian broccoli crops,B.oleracea(L.),and to determine those that are most likelv to be regular predators of selected pests. The abundance and activity of predators in the field were monitored with pitfall traps,sticky traps and a vacuum sampler.Predators collected included species of Coleoptera(Staphylinidae, Coccinellidae, Carabidae),Hymenoptera(Formicidae, Sphecidae),Hemiptera f Miridae,Lygaeidae,Nabidae,Pentatomidae),Diptera(Syrphidae),Neuroptera(Hemerobiidae),Dermaptera (Furficulidae),Chilopoda,and Araneae(Lycosidae,Linyphiidae,Sahicidae,Tetragnatidae,Gnaphosidae.Miturgidae). In order to enhance the efficacy of these beneficial predators,further studies are needed to elucidate their role and effectiveness in the suppression of pests of Brassica.