Speciesassemblages of predatory coccinellids in perennial plantations andearly successional

Colunga-Garcia, M. and S.H. Gage

Presented at the Campus Symposium (2001-04-19 )

We studied the species assemblages of predatory coccinellids in response to changes in habitat maturation in alfalfa (perennial, periodical disturbances, stable structural vegetation), poplars (perennial, seldom disturbed, changing plant structure) and early successional (successional vegetation, non disturbed, changing plant structure).A monitoring network was established in the main site of the Long Term Ecological Research at the Kellogg Biological Station. During twelve summers (1989 to 2000), coccinellid adults were sampled weekly at each one of the poplar, alfalfa, and early successional plots.We observed a “succession” of dominant species within the coccinellid complex as poplars aged. The dominant beetle species in young poplar plantations (one to four years) were also dominant in the adjacent field crops. Thereafter, the dominant coccinellid species in poplar were species typical of deciduous habitats. In early successional we found that an optimal level of species diversity and abundance of coccinellids occurs during the second year of plant succession.

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