Side Effects of Kaolin and Bunch-Zone Leaf Removal on Generalist Predators in Vineyards.

ABSTRACT: In vineyards, kaolin application and bunch-zone leaf removal (LR) were effective in the control of leafhoppers and Lobesia botrana, but their side effects on generalist predators are still poorly understood. In north-eastern Italian vineyards, the impact of kaolin and LR on species and functional diversity of spiders, as well as the abundance of spiders and generalist predatory insects, was assessed in one vineyard for two consecutive years and in two vineyards for one year. The ecological indices of the spider community were never influenced by kaolin and only in one case were they influenced by LR. At the spider family level, kaolin reduced the abundance of Araneidae, Oxypidae and Salticidae, but only in single cases. In single cases, kaolin reduced the amount of Orius sp.

SUBMITTER: Cargnus E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9966790 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature