The influence of sown wildflower strips on ground beetles and spiders (Carabidae & Araneae) in an intensively cultivated agricultural area (Grosses Moos, Switzerland)

Published source details Luka H., Lutz M., Blick T. & Pfiffner L. (2001) The influence of sown wildflower strips on ground beetles and spiders (Carabidae & Araneae) in an intensively cultivated agricultural area (Grosses Moos, Switzerland). Schweiz. Peckiana, 1, 45-60.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips Action Link

Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips

A replicated, controlled study in April to July 1999 in Witzwil, Switzerland (Luka et al. 2001) found higher species richness of ground beetles (Carabidae) and spiders (Araneae) in three sown wildflower strips than in adjacent crop fields. However, the number of individuals was generally lower in strips than in the crop. Abundance and species richness of specialist species was clearly higher in strips than crop fields for both ground beetles and spiders. On some of the sites, species richness (especially for spiders) appeared higher in the edge samples of the crop fields than in the centre. Note that no statistical analyses were performed on the data in this study. Wildflower strips (two, five and six-years-old) were sown with a mixture of 38 native wild and cultivated plant species and were not managed during the sample period. The crop fields (winter wheat, summer wheat and rye) were treated with pesticides in autumn 1998 and spring 1999. Ground beetles and spiders were caught in pitfall traps. Four traps each were placed in the wildflower strip. In the crop field, traps were placed 15 and 70–100 m from the wildflower strip.