The use of model flowers to enhance oviposition by aphidophagous hoverflies (diptera: syrphidae) in arable crops
The use of model flowers to enhance oviposition by aphidophagous hoverflies (diptera: syrphidae) in arable crops
This project examines the effect of using model flowers in the margins of cereal fields on oviposition by aphidophagous hoverflies. In 2002 there was significantly more syrphid oviposition on bait plants near standardised model flowers consisting of yellow painted flower pot trays mounted on stakes at three different heights, and containing pollen and nectar, than on bait plants at control positions. Further experiments carried out in 2002 and 2003 compared oviposition near yellow and unpainted (brown) model flowers with and without food resources. In both years, significantly more oviposition was found near the yellow model flowers than near the brown ones. However, the presence or absence of pollen, nectar of both had no effect on oviposition rates. Syrphids may be attracted towards an apparent source of food even if not in a state of hunger, and in the presence of aphids will lay eggs even if hungry rather than continuing to search for food.
The results of laboratory and field experiments comparing different shades of yellow indicated that fluorescent yellows with a UV component were the most attractive.
Yellow trap catches were used to compare their attractiveness to gravid syrphids using targets of different heights, of different sizes and with different patterns. Yellow water traps placed 30cms above the ground, the largest water traps (25cm diameter) and water traps without patterns were identified as the most attractive.
An experiment carried out in the grounds of the University of Southampton assessed the effect of a model flower with the ‘optimum’ attributes that had been identified, on syrphid oviposition. Overall, significantly more oviposition occurred near model flowers than at control positions.
University of Southampton
Day, Robyn Linda
49f7e5d9-1d01-4d02-9d28-adaae0931a42
2007
Day, Robyn Linda
49f7e5d9-1d01-4d02-9d28-adaae0931a42
Day, Robyn Linda
(2007)
The use of model flowers to enhance oviposition by aphidophagous hoverflies (diptera: syrphidae) in arable crops.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
This project examines the effect of using model flowers in the margins of cereal fields on oviposition by aphidophagous hoverflies. In 2002 there was significantly more syrphid oviposition on bait plants near standardised model flowers consisting of yellow painted flower pot trays mounted on stakes at three different heights, and containing pollen and nectar, than on bait plants at control positions. Further experiments carried out in 2002 and 2003 compared oviposition near yellow and unpainted (brown) model flowers with and without food resources. In both years, significantly more oviposition was found near the yellow model flowers than near the brown ones. However, the presence or absence of pollen, nectar of both had no effect on oviposition rates. Syrphids may be attracted towards an apparent source of food even if not in a state of hunger, and in the presence of aphids will lay eggs even if hungry rather than continuing to search for food.
The results of laboratory and field experiments comparing different shades of yellow indicated that fluorescent yellows with a UV component were the most attractive.
Yellow trap catches were used to compare their attractiveness to gravid syrphids using targets of different heights, of different sizes and with different patterns. Yellow water traps placed 30cms above the ground, the largest water traps (25cm diameter) and water traps without patterns were identified as the most attractive.
An experiment carried out in the grounds of the University of Southampton assessed the effect of a model flower with the ‘optimum’ attributes that had been identified, on syrphid oviposition. Overall, significantly more oviposition occurred near model flowers than at control positions.
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Published date: 2007
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Local EPrints ID: 466496
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/466496
PURE UUID: e361c999-2cee-49cd-8691-d68cea76f023
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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 05:24
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 20:44
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Author:
Robyn Linda Day
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