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Selection of insectary plants for the conservation of biological control agents of aphids and thrips in fruit orchards

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 March 2021

Carmen Denis Open the ORCID record for Carmen Denis [Opens in a new window] ,
Jordi Riudavets Open the ORCID record for Jordi Riudavets [Opens in a new window] ,
Rosa Gabarra Open the ORCID record for Rosa Gabarra [Opens in a new window] ,
Paula Molina Open the ORCID record for Paula Molina [Opens in a new window]  and
Judit Arnó Open the ORCID record for Judit Arnó [Opens in a new window]
Carmen Denis
Affiliation:
IRTA, Ctra. de Cabrils Km 2, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain
Jordi Riudavets
Affiliation:
IRTA, Ctra. de Cabrils Km 2, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain
Rosa Gabarra
Affiliation:
IRTA, Ctra. de Cabrils Km 2, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain
Paula Molina
Affiliation:
IRTA, Ctra. de Cabrils Km 2, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain
Judit Arnó*
Affiliation:
IRTA, Ctra. de Cabrils Km 2, 08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain
*
Author for correspondence: Judit Arnó, Email: judit.arno@irta.cat
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Abstract

This study evaluated the potential of flowering plant species naturally occurring to promote the conservation and early establishment of key natural enemies of aphids and thrips in apple and peach orchards. Flowering plants present in the North East of Spain, a main fruit production area in Europe, were sampled to determine their flowering period and to identify potential natural enemies present on each plant species. Thirty-six plant species were found blooming from early March to late May and provided an array of flowers that might ensure food resources for natural enemies. Among them, six species – Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav., Cardaria draba (L.) Desv., Euphorbia serrata (L.) S.G. Gmel., Malva sylvestris L., Anacyclus clavatus (Desf.) Pers. and Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC. – hosted a high diversity of potential natural enemies of aphids and thrips. Their blooming started early in the season and lasted for several sampling weeks and they were widely distributed. Moreover, they had available nectar even in those species with protected nectaries. Therefore, these plant species can be considered as promising candidates for inclusion in the ecological infrastructure designed for fruit orchards in the study area to promote the conservation of the biological control agents of aphids and thrips.

Keywords

Flower architectureflower marginsinsect sizenatural enemiesparasitoidspredators

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Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 111 , Issue 5 , October 2021 , pp. 517 - 527
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Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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