Promoting generralist predatory arthropod populations in corn using discrete habitat refugia.

• Grant number: 00/01913-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: May 28, 2000
• End date: August 14, 2000
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Isabela Maria Piovesan Rinaldi
• Grantee: Isabela Maria Piovesan Rinaldi
• Host Investigator: Alan Bruce Cady
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Miami, United States

Abstract

Biological control using generalist arthropod predators is being studied more closely because their diverse assemblages may offer possibilities specialist species do not. Spiders and ground beetles (Carabidae) are ubiquitous and abundant groups in agroecosystems and have ability to reduce insect pests of several key crops. The proposed work is determine: (1) The community dynamics of spiders and carabid beetles inside and sorrounding straw refugia in a cornfield, (2) The impact of conventional farming practices on refugia residents and their durability. (AU)