The generalist predatory arthropods (GPAs)occupying crop fields have great potential as agents of biological control. The endemic species comprising this predator community are finely adapted to their specific microclimates and communities. Unfortunately, conventional tillage and harvesting operations are cyclical and destructive events, forcing the native generalist predator community to re-colonize these fields each year. Supplying discrete habitat refugia (small straw piles; 1m X 0.5m) is a simple and inexpensive means of reducing the impact agricultural techniques exert on populations of predatory arthropods in agroecosystems by providing them places to live and reproduce in the fields before the crops grow and mature. Previous experiments with such refugia in soybeans showed these straw piles harbored greatly increased carabid beetle and spider populations. Soy and corn plants near refugia suffered less damage, and corn growth and yields were greater for plants near refugia. The exact mechanisms producing these effects are being studied, and larger-scale tests are required. This easy and cheap technique has potential to help farmers increase yields with little effort and expense.
Species 1: Araneae Lycosidae Pardosa milvina (Thin-legged wolf spider)
Keywords: biological control, discrete habitat refugia
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