Distance and direction of movement by selected epigeal arthropods around switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Habitat manipulation resulting in perennial, overwintering habitats for natural enemies is a large part of conservation biological control.  In addition to beetle banks and conservation strips, one crop that has potential to act as an overwintering habitat is switchgrass grown for biofuel production.  An experiment was conducted in switchgrass plots adjacent to traditional agricultural fields to determine the frequency and directionality of movement of epigeal arthropods between the fields.  Novel proteins were applied to field borders, thus marking arthropods as they moved through the environment over the next several days.  Individuals were captured using sticky pitfall traps placed in transects perpendicular to the field border.  Captured individuals, the most abundant of which were ground beetles and wolf spiders, were tested for protein makers using ELISA.  Results are expected to follow a trend of arthropods moving out of switchgrass and into adjacent annual crops, with less distinct movement occurring between switchgrass and pastures.  The development and  effectiveness of sticky pitfall traps for this type of study are also discussed.