Author
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Greenstone, Matthew |
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Submitted to: Bulletin of Entomological Research
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Summary article; no new research reported; no interpretive summary required. Technical Abstract: This is a review of the proceedings of the second of three workshops, held in Aarhus, Wageningen and Bristol from 1993 to 1995, making up a Concerted Action by the European Union entitled "Enhancement, Dispersal and Population Dynamics of Beneficial Predators and Parasitoids in Integrated Agroecosystems." The first section, SURVIVAL, contains papers on carabids which rely heavily on pitfall trapping data, and one on spiders (by Sunderland and Topping) which uses an absolute sampling method. These papers give rise to a consideration of methodological problems in sampling arthropod natural enemies. The second section, REPRODUCTION, has papers on dietary selection in spiders and an exhaustive review by Sunderland et al. on habitat and dietary requirements of predators and parasitoids. The final section, ENHANCEMENT, contains papers about the effect of habitat modifications and agricultural practices on biodiversity and pest management. The results of manipulations tend to depend upon such details as the plant species employed for trap cropping, and the taxa studied. It is pointed out that manipulations designed to increase biodiversity will not be adopted by agriculturalists unless they can be shown to be profitable. The paper by Finch is commended for providing a framework for designing a fundamental research program to support the development of a management strategy for any pest. Overall the volume will prove useful by pointing out fruitful directions for future research. |
