Spatial Distribution of Ataenius spretulus, Aphodius granarius (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), and Predaceous Insects Across Golf Course Fairways and Roughs
| Autor: | Nikki L. Rothwell, David R. Smitley, Terrance W. Davis |
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| Rok vydání: | 1998 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | Environmental Entomology. 27:1336-1349 |
| ISSN: | 1938-2936 0046-225X |
| DOI: | 10.1093/ee/27.6.1336 |
| Popis: | In Michigan, scattered damage to fairway turf from Ataenius spretulus (Haldeman) or Aphodius granarius (L.) is reported by golf course superintendents every year. Yet, little is known about the distribution of these insects on golf courses or why outbreaks occur. In 1992 and 1993, A. spretulus and A. granarius larvae were 10-fold more abundant on fairways compared with adjacent roughs of 3 Michigan golf courses. In 1994, glass vials were used as pitfall traps to sample adult A. spretulus and A. granarius and surface-dwelling insects at 2 golf courses. A. spretulus adults were 4-fold more abundant in the fairway, whereas staphylinids and formicids were 5- to 10-fold more abundant in the rough. At 1 location in 1995, and at a different location in 1996, pitfall traps were placed along replicated transects running into the fairway and rough. In total, 112 pitfall traps were changed weekly from early May to early July. In 1995, 341 A. granarius , 1,131 A. spretulus , 4,703 Formicidae, 2,693 Carabidae, 2,304 Staphylinidae, and 579 Histeridae were captured in pitfall traps. Approximately ⅓ as many insects were trapped in 1996. A. spretulus adults were again more abundant in the fair-way, whereas the numbers of A. granarius adults captured in the fairway and rough were similar. The numbers of predatory insects captured in pitfall traps declined sharply when crossing from the rough into the fairway. We found a strong inverse relationship ( r = −0.62) between the distribution of A. spretulus adults and predators caught in pitfall traps, and a weaker inverse relationship between larvae and predators. At all 5 golf course sites, plots in the fairway and rough received a similar level of irrigation, fairways were mowed at an average height of 13 mm and roughs at 51 mm, more fertilizer was applied to fairways (1.25 kg N/yr) than roughs (0.75 kg N) and no insecticides were applied. In 1996, grass species composition was the same in the fairway and rough. Potential causes of a high density of A. spretulus and a low density of surface predators in golf course fairways are discussed. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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