Monday, December 10, 2007
D0101

Examining weed seed predation potential, activity density, and seed-caching behavior of common seed predators (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in varying agroecosystems of western Oregon and eastern Washington

Jessica M. Green, BugL8dy@msn.com1, R. E. Peachey2, N. Marshall1, A. Greco, n/a1, D. McGrath, daniel.mcgrath@oregonstate.edu3, and R. Boydston, boydston@pars.ars.usda.gov4. (1) Oregon State University, 4017 ALS Building, Corvallis, OR, (2) OSU, Horticulture, 4017 ALS, Corvallis, OR, (3) OSU, Linn Co. Ext, 104 4th St. SW, Albany, OR, (4) USDA-ARS, 24106 N. Bunn Rd, Prosser, WA

(In progress) Ground Beetle activity and behavior patterns were studied to determine impact and efficacy in reducing future emergence of various annual weed species (Chenopodium album, Amaranthus powelli, Panicum miliaceum, and ----). The Carabid seed predator species studied included but were not limited to: (Pterostichus melanarius, Harpalus pennslyvanicus, Agonum suturale, Amara aenea, and Bradycellus ). Common weed seeds were used as bait to determine total predation potential of the ground beetles. Behavior was observed via time-lapse photography and soil column observation in addition to seed removal data. Beetle activity density was measured using pitfall traps in 24 research plots as well as in six on-farm studies in both organic and conventional fields. Data results are forthcoming and hope to lend to an understanding of seed predation potential as it relates to weed reduction in vegetable cropping systems.


Species 1: Coleoptera Carabidae Pterostichus melanarius
Species 2: Coleoptera Carabidae Harpalus pennsylvanicus (big dingy ground beetle)
Species 3: Coleoptera Carabidae Agonum spp