Seasonal, spatial and diel partitioning of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) predators and predation in alfalfa fields

摘要: Abstract Predators are important natural enemies, often responsible for preventing pest population outbreaks of in many crops. Complementarity resource use involves spatial or temporal segregation predators, which can result better biological control when several species enemies share a prey. In this study, we investigated the seasonal, and diel Acyrthosiphon pisum predators its predation alfalfa fields, by setting out cards with sentinel aphids, making observations every 3 h 24 h period. A was observed. Coccinellids were most abundant representing 51% total observations, followed syrphid larvae. also high levels throughout year, although varied from spring to summer autumn. On other hand, syrphids only found summer, while spiders Predator differed on their preferred sites predation, Heteropterans foliage, spider Neomaso articeps ground, coccinellid Anyphaenidae both sites. The two main predator groups showed distinct patterns, coccinellids observed during day night. This predatory activity corresponded aphid observing more spring, foliage time. proportion preying different seasons did not tightly field abundance, particularly case coccinellids, maintained spite great variations abundance. Our results support hypothesis spatio-temporal associated A. alfalfa, might be beneficial outcome pest.