Volume 7
Issue 2
Biology
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume7/issue2/biology/abs-05.html
SEASONAL ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS OCCURRING ON RUMEX CONFERTUS WILLD., AS AN INTERESTING APPROACH TO THE USE OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS
Dariusz Piesik
ABSTRACT
Field research was conducted to determine insects occurring on Rumex confertus Willd. The experiments were carried out in 1997, 1998, 1999 and additionally in 2001 from April to late September. The field trials were located in the natural habitat of R. confertus on meadows near Vistula river; in Bydgoszcz (53013'N, 18015'E) and Toruń (5302'N, 18061'E) vicinities. Mossy sorrel was injured by the following pests in order of feeding impact: Mamestra dissimilis Knoch., Rhinoncus pericarpius L., Phyllobius virideaeris Laich., and Phyllobius maculicornis Germ. The losses of R. confertus biomass were recorded throughout the whole growing season until the plants desiccating. Two generations of M. dissimilis in both locations were recorded. In case of R. pericarpius and Phyllobius spp. one generation was observed.
Key words: biological control, Rumex confertus Willd., mossy sorrel, insects, Mamestra dissimilis Knoch., Rhinoncus pericarpius L., Phyllobius spp..