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This site is currently under construction. However, here are some facts about this research project. Please email me with any questions you have. Thanks! |
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some of the commonly occuring natural enemies that we found in cole crop
fields in 2002: These beetles are quite small, less than 1 cm (13/32") and are found on the ground. They hunt for prey mainly at night (nocturnal). They do not eat plants so do not cause injury to crops.  |
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We have found that these beetles will eat root maggot eggs.
Killing the egg stage with these predators results in fewer maggots. Maggots kill plants by feeding on the root tissue. |
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The current
projects in this lab are trying to identify the effectiveness of these beetles
at eating root maggot eggs. finding methods to enhance their populations
in fields. for example there has been a lot of work done in England that
shows many beetles require grassy habitats for shelter, especially during
the winter. This type of habitat around the field margin has been shown
to enhance the abundance of predators in fields. |
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