Invertebrate abundance on cereal fields and set-aside land - implications for wild gamebird chicks

Published source details Moreby S.J. & Aebischer N.J. (1992) Invertebrate abundance on cereal fields and set-aside land - implications for wild gamebird chicks. British Crop Protection Council Monographs, 50, 181-186.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide or retain set-aside areas in farmland Action Link
	Provide or retain set‐aside areas in farmland Action Link

Provide or retain set-aside areas in farmland

A replicated, controlled study of 44 fields on five farms over two years in Hampshire and Wiltshire, UK (Moreby & Aebischer 1992) found that, overall, chick food was three times higher on fallow set-aside than on wheat. Significantly higher numbers of leafhoppers (Auchenorrhyncha) were found on first and second-year set-aside (53 vs 9/sample) and true bugs (Heteroptera) in second-year set-aside than wheat (24 vs 6). In contrast, ground beetles (Carabidae; 0.3 vs 0.8), rove beetles (Staphylinidae; 6 vs 14), leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae; 0.7 vs 1.4), aphids (Aphididae; 31 vs 74) and flies (Diptera; 38 vs 67) were all significantly less abundant on set-aside than crops (respectively). Numbers in set-aside and wheat did not differ for spiders (Araneae; 13 vs 10/sample), springtails (Collembola, 855 vs 661) or larvae of butterflies, moths and sawflies (Lepidoptera and Symphyta; 0.4 vs 0.7). Fields in the first year of the UK’s five-year set-aside scheme (left fallow or drilled with grass) were sampled in June 1990. In 1991, 15 fields at two of the five farms were re-sampled to evaluate second-year fallow set-aside. Invertebrates were collected using a D-Vac suction sampler in the headlands of fields, 3 m from the field edge. Five samples of 0.5 m² were taken at each site.
Provide or retain set‐aside areas in farmland

A replicated, site comparison study in 1990–1991 on five arable farms in Hampshire and Wiltshire, UK (Moreby & Aebischer 1992) found that the abundance of caterpillars was similar on fallow set-aside and wheat fields. The number of caterpillars of butterflies, moths and sawflies (Lepidoptera and Symphyta combined) was not significantly different on set-aside (0.4 individuals/sample) and wheat fields (0.7 individuals/sample). A total of 44 fields on five farms in the first year of the UK’s five-year set-aside scheme (left fallow or drilled with grass) were sampled in June 1990. In 1991, fifteen fields at two of the farms were re-sampled to evaluate second-year fallow set-aside. Caterpillars were collected using a D-Vac suction sampler in the headlands of fields, 3 m from the field edge. Five samples of 0.5 m² were taken at each site.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland synopsis)