Ecology of the celery leaftier, Udea rubigalis, aphids, and natural enemies in Michigan celery fields

U.S. celery production was first established during the late nineteenth century in Kalamazoo, MI. As of 2012, Michigan ranks in the top three states for celery production with 113 million pounds harvested from 2000 acres and a market value of just under $22.4 million. The objective of this study was to examine the arthropod community in Michigan celery agroecosystems. We concentrated on two pests, the celery leaftier (Udea rubigalis Guenée) and aphids, as well as their natural enemies. Transects for sticky traps, pitfall traps, and foliage inspection were established within six commercial celery fields located in three southwest Michigan counties. Samples were taken throughout the growing season. Captured arthropods were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic unit; distribution and abundance over space and time were recorded and evaluated using analysis of variance.