a-versatile-glass-jar-system-for-semihydroponic-root-exudate-profiling

A Versatile Glass Jar System for Semihydroponic Root Exudate Profiling

Root exudates shape the plant-soil interface, are involved in nutrient cycling&#160;and modulate interactions with soil organisms. Root exudates are ...

University of Zürich

The invasive  feeds and reproduces on various cultivated and wild fruits and moves between agricultural and semi-natural habitats. Hedges in agricultural landscapes play a vital role in the population development of , but also harbor a diverse community of natural enemies. We investigated predation by repeatedly exposing cohorts of  pupae between June and October in dry and humid hedges at five different locations in Switzerland. We sampled predator communities and analyzed their gut content for the presence of  DNA based on the COI marker. On average, 44% of the exposed pupae were predated. Predation was higher in dry than humid hedges, but did not differ significantly between pupae exposed on the ground or on branches and among sampling periods. Earwigs, spiders, and ants were the dominant predators. Predator communities did not vary significantly between hedge types or sampling periods. DNA of  was detected in 3.4% of the earwigs, 1.8% of the spiders, and in one predatory bug (1.6%). While the molecular gut content analysis detected only a small proportion of predators that had fed on , overall predation seemed sufficient to reduce  populations, in particular in hedges that provide few host fruit resources.

Alexandra Siffert

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