Relative importance of predators and parasitoids for cereal aphid control in a gradient of landscape complexity (EuroDIVERSITY 260)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Teja Tscharntke
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: from 2006 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 19454361

Aphids on cereals are important insect pests in many parts of Europe. In this project we use field experiments with manipulations of natural enemies, polyphagous predators and specialised parasitoids, to show how the diverse natural enemies ensures biological pest control. We (1) estimate how biodiversity and biocontrol are affected by agricultural intensification at different scales across Europe ¿ from fields (e.g. local plant diversity) to farms (e.g. land-use intensity) and landscapes (e.g. composition and configuration), (2) determine functional spatial scales for (multi-)trophic interactions of species differing in traits such as body size, foraging range, resource specialization, population size variability and trophic position, and (3) analyse underlying mechanisms owing to the availability of perennial habitats providing shelter from disturbances by agricultural practices, overwintering sites, and alternative prey.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants