We examined the use of in-field refuges or beetle banks as a tool for enhancing densities of epigeal predators, primarily spiders, staphylinids and carabids. Beetle banks were established on three organic farms in the summer of 2002. Natural enemy densities were evaluated via soil samples in February 2003 and via pitfall trapping from May to August 2003. We also measured predation of sentinel dipteran eggs and mealworm larvae, placed at varying distances from beetle banks and randomly along transects in control fields. We discuss our findings in terms of the potential for beetle banks to be used as a conservation biological control tool.
Species 1: Coleoptera Carabidae
Species 2: Coleoptera Staphylinidae
Keywords: conservation biological control
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