Coleopterans dominate the complex of ground arthropods in potato fields in southeastern Idaho and Pterostichus melanariu (Illiger), an introduced European carabid species, represented 88 % of all individuals caught in 2001. Pterostichus melanarius adults have been reported to feed on a wide range of insects including, cutworms, gypsy moths, coddling moths, cabbage and onion fly maggots, cabbage root fly, Colorado potato beetle, green peach aphid, western corn rootworms and carrot and bean weevils. The objective of this study was to characterize arthropod and gastropod species found to be acceptable as food to adult P. melanarius individuals in no-choice feeding trials. Both the carabids and prey animals, were collected from potato fields in south-central and southeastern Idaho. The range of preys are presented and discussed in regard to the implementation of biological control by this carabid species as part of an IPM program in the potato ecosystem.
Species 1: Coleoptera Carabidae Pterostichus melanarius
Species 2: Solanaceae Solanum tuberosum (potato)
Keywords: biological control, potato IPM
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