Grantee Research Project Results
Biocontrol by Native Generalist Predators: A Strategy for Reducing Pesticide Use in Vegetable Production
EPA Grant Number: R826099Title: Biocontrol by Native Generalist Predators: A Strategy for Reducing Pesticide Use in Vegetable Production
Investigators: Wise, David H.
Institution: University of Kentucky
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2000
Project Amount: $147,133
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Biology (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Biology/Life Sciences
Description:
The overall objective of the project is to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides in vegetable production by providing quantitative information on the extent to which native generalist predators control insect pests and influence vegetable yield. Wolf spiders (lycosids) and ground beetles (carabids) are major elements of the generalist predator guild. The extent to which conservation and augmentation of these indigenous predators will depress numbers of vegetable pests depends upon the rate at which wolf spiders and carabid beetles colonize vegetable crops; the rate at which they feed on insect pests; and the extent to which they interfere with overall biological control by feeding on each other and on other predators. The research will test the following specific hypotheses: (1) Predation by lycosids and carabids reduces densities of cucumber beetles and squash bugs in gardens of cucumbers and squash. (2) This reduction in numbers of insect pests increases yields of marketable cucumbers and squash. (3) Predation by carabids and spiders on each other, and on other predators, does not prevent the guild of generalist predators from exerting economically significant control of vegetable insect pests.Approach:
The proposed research will test these hypotheses through a field experiment in which natural rates of colonization of gardens by spiders and beetles will be manipulated in order to establish replicated plots with different combinations, and overall densities, of lycosids and carabids; and laboratory feeding trials and microcosm experiments to document the extent to which the common species of wolf spiders and carabids prey upon each other, upon other predators, and upon pests of squash and cucumber.Expected Results:
The project will contribute to the goal of reducing environmental pollution by strengthening the scientific base for strategies of pest control that do not rely on insecticides. In testing the above hypotheses, the research will provide quantitative information on the potential economic impact of predation by generalist predators on vegetable pests. Because chemical pesticides are widely used in vegetable production, increased reliance on indigenous natural enemies to control pests will reduce environmental pollution by strengthening biological control as a component of integrated pest management in vegetable production.Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 5 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 4 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
terrestrial, agriculture, insecticides, sustainability, ecology., RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Ecological Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Agronomy, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, exploratory research environmental biology, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Biochemistry, Ecology and Ecosystems, agriculture ecosystems, agrochemcial, pesticides, ground beetles, insecticides, pest control, vegetable production, biocontrol, wolf spiders, native generalist predatorsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.