ACTIVITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF CARABIDAE, ARACHNIDA, AND STAPHYLINIDAE IN NEW BRUNSWICK POTATO FIELDS

Abstract

AbstractA 3-year faunal survey of insecticide-free potato fields revealed that Carabidae were the most abundant ground arthropods followed by Arachnida and Staphylinidae. Generic and species composition of Carabidae did not vary substantially from year to year but abundance did. The arthropods were distributed along a gradient decreasing with distance from the edge of the field closest to the woodland. Results of yellow pan trappings indicated that all types of Carabidae present in the pitfalls could fly but that flight activity was variable among genera. More than 50% of Staphylinidae and 85% of the Carabidae were trapped in the yellow pans at the time of field colonization in June. The significance of these findings in relation to the potential of the arthropods for natural biological control of potato pests is discussed.