Study

Effects of sown weed strips in winter wheat on the abundance of cereal aphids and spiders

  • Published source details Lemke A. & Poehling H.M. (1997) Effects of sown weed strips in winter wheat on the abundance of cereal aphids and spiders. Mitteilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für allgemeine und angewandte Entomologie, 11, 237-240.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips

Action Link
Farmland Conservation
  1. Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips

    A replicated, controlled study in 1994-1996 near Hannover, Germany (Lemke & Poehling 1997) found higher numbers of spider (Araneae) species and individuals (peak 435 individuals/m­2) in sown wildflower strips than in cereal fields. Spider abundance varied throughout the year. Spider species richness increased from the first to the third year following margin establishment. Abundance and population dynamics of aphids (Aphididae) on wheat tillers differed between the years (peak 7.5 aphids/tiller), but abundance generally increased with increasing distance from the wildflower strips. Note that no statistical tests were presented in this study. Two wildflower strips (1.5 x 30 m) were sown in two different winter wheat fields in 1994, with a seed mixture containing 19 non-grass plant species. The strips were cut annually after harvest. Spiders were sampled with a D-Vac both in the strips and in the fields at defined distances from the strip. Aphid numbers were assessed using tiller counts at the same sample sites.

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