Authors: BEST, RICHARD L.; BEEGLE, CLAYTON C.

Source: Environmental Entomology, Volume 6, Number 1, February 1977 , pp. 9-12(4)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Abstract:

Food preferences of 5 species of adult carabids, Scarites substriatus, Evarthrus alternans, Pterostichus chalcites, P. lucublandus, and Harpalus pensylvanicus, were investigated under laboratory conditions. Various plant and animal material, as well as detritus were tested. Dead black cutworm larvae were the most preferred food for all species tested. H. pensylvanicus and E. alternans did, however, feed on a number of seeds. H. pensylvanicus may be quite omnivorous in its feeding habits. In general, dead crickets and both live and dead smooth-skinned Lepidoptera larvae were attractive food items, while isopods, phalangids, slugs, and earthworms were not. E. alternans, P. lucublandus, and H. pensylvanicus significantly preferred dead invertebrates over live ones. The attractiveness of dead animal material has special significance. The application of insecticides, which kill large numbers of insects, may be indirectly poisoning potential predators because of the carabid's willingness to feed on dead or dying insects.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 1977-02-01

More about this publication?

• Environmental Entomology is published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October, and December. The journal publishes reports on the interaction of insects with the biological, chemical, and physical aspects of their environment and is divided into the following sections: physiological ecology; chemical ecology; population ecology; quantitative ecology; community and ecosystem ecology; biological control­-parasitoids and predators; biological control--microbials; biological control--weeds; behavior; pest management; sampling; plant-insect interactions; molecular ecology and evolution; transgenic plants and insects. In addition to research papers, Environmental Entomology publishes Letters to the Editor, interpretive articles in a Forum section, and Book Reviews.
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