Abundance of native and
non-native Coccinellidae in diverse Michigan
habitats
Alissa M.
Berro (1), Mary M. Gardiner (1), Alejandro C. Costamagna (1), Manuel
Colunga-Garcia (2), Stuart H. Gage (2). 1204 CIPS, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
48824, 2208 Manly Miles Building, Michigan State University, East
Lansing, MI 48824.
The
NSF-sponsered Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in
agroecology at Michigan State Universities Kellogg Biological
Station (KBS) has been the site of a study tracking populations of
native and non-native Coccinellidae for the past fifteen years. Data
is taken for two species of non-native and six species of native
ladybeetles in varying habitats ranging from woodland to highly
managed agricultural fields. From May to August each year, five
yellow sticky traps are deployed in each habitat and sampled once a
week. Results from the past three years show Harmonia
axyridisand Coccinella septempunctata to be the most abundant
coccinellids. Mapping the densities of coccinellids in this study
from 2004-05 has revealed a shifting pattern of adult abundance
related to both crop and non-crop habitats present in this study.
The occurrence of a novel species to the site, Hippodamia
variegata, has also been tracked since its appearance in 2004
and rise in population density over the past two years. Finally the
relationship between soybean aphid population and ladybeetle
abundance at KBS is explored to determine if this new invasive
herbivore is driving response in coccinellid populations. |