160
(x. R. POTTS AND 0. P. VICKERMAN
transversus. Atomaria seem to feed mainly on fungal conidia and
hyphae, probably moulds (C. Johnson, University of Manchester),
although A . linearis has been recorded as a pest of sugar beet. A.
jmetarii is apparently uncommon and is associated with fungi of the
genus Coprinus (C. Johnson, University of Manchester). Apart from
A . atricapilla, which was widely distributed, the other species appeared
to be associated with “weedy” cereal fields. The reasons for this
association are not at present understood.
The predators in the system consisted of members of the Staphylinidae, Carabidae, Coccinellidae and Cantharidae. Although little is
known of the feeding habits of the predatory Staphylinidae, most are
supposed to feed on Acari and Collembola. There are, however,
numerous records of alternative prey. According to Dunn (1960),
adult Tachyporus obtusus were commonly found associated with
colonies of the lettuce root aphid Pemphigus bursarius (L.) and were
strongly suspected of being aphid predators. Dunn (1960) also observed
larvae of Tachyporus chrysomelinus feeding on the aphids. Larvae of
T . obtusus and T . hypnorum were recorded as preying upon the strawberry aphid Chaelosiph fragaefolii (Cock.) by Dicker (1944). According
to Lipkow (1966), T . obtusus and T . hypnorum ate the eggs of Lema
melanopa (L.) on oat leaves. Dunn (1960) also found Atheta sp.,
Aleochara sp., Oxytelus rugosus and Tachinus rujpes (Deg.) associated
with the lettuce root aphid colonies. Adult Tachyporus h y p w u m have
been observed feeding on caged aphids and Sminthurus viridis during
the present investigation.
A number of Staphylinidae were shown by Coaker and Williams
(1963) to be predators of the immature stages of the cabbage root fly
Erioischia brassicae (BouchB). These included Oxytelus rugosus,
Philonthus cognutus, Tachyporus hypnorum, T . solutus, T . obtusus and
Xantholinus longiventris. According to Jones (1969) Tachyporms sp.
ate eggs of Oscinella frit L. (Diptera:Chloropidae), whilst Philonthus
sp. ate the puparia in the laboratory.
Of the Carabidae, Bembidion lampros and Trechus quadristriatus
were shown by Jones (1969) to feed on eggs of 0. frit L. in the laboratory.
0. frit larvae were eaten by Agonum dorsale, Notiophilus biguttatus (F.),
Harpalus rujipes (Degeer) and Trechus quudristriatus. Dobson (1961)
showed that A . dorsale would feed on the eggs of the wheat bulb fly
Leptohylemyia coarctata in the laboratory, whilst Coaker and Williams
(1963) showed that it was a predator of cabbage root fly in the field.
Pollard (1968) noted that in the laboratory it climbed freely and fed on
aphids on leaves of brussels sprouts. According to Davies (1963)
members of the genus Amara are phytophagous and feed on leaves
of grasses and on seeds.
(x. R. POTTS AND 0. P. VICKERMAN
transversus. Atomaria seem to feed mainly on fungal conidia and
hyphae, probably moulds (C. Johnson, University of Manchester),
although A . linearis has been recorded as a pest of sugar beet. A.
jmetarii is apparently uncommon and is associated with fungi of the
genus Coprinus (C. Johnson, University of Manchester). Apart from
A . atricapilla, which was widely distributed, the other species appeared
to be associated with “weedy” cereal fields. The reasons for this
association are not at present understood.
The predators in the system consisted of members of the Staphylinidae, Carabidae, Coccinellidae and Cantharidae. Although little is
known of the feeding habits of the predatory Staphylinidae, most are
supposed to feed on Acari and Collembola. There are, however,
numerous records of alternative prey. According to Dunn (1960),
adult Tachyporus obtusus were commonly found associated with
colonies of the lettuce root aphid Pemphigus bursarius (L.) and were
strongly suspected of being aphid predators. Dunn (1960) also observed
larvae of Tachyporus chrysomelinus feeding on the aphids. Larvae of
T . obtusus and T . hypnorum were recorded as preying upon the strawberry aphid Chaelosiph fragaefolii (Cock.) by Dicker (1944). According
to Lipkow (1966), T . obtusus and T . hypnorum ate the eggs of Lema
melanopa (L.) on oat leaves. Dunn (1960) also found Atheta sp.,
Aleochara sp., Oxytelus rugosus and Tachinus rujpes (Deg.) associated
with the lettuce root aphid colonies. Adult Tachyporus h y p w u m have
been observed feeding on caged aphids and Sminthurus viridis during
the present investigation.
A number of Staphylinidae were shown by Coaker and Williams
(1963) to be predators of the immature stages of the cabbage root fly
Erioischia brassicae (BouchB). These included Oxytelus rugosus,
Philonthus cognutus, Tachyporus hypnorum, T . solutus, T . obtusus and
Xantholinus longiventris. According to Jones (1969) Tachyporms sp.
ate eggs of Oscinella frit L. (Diptera:Chloropidae), whilst Philonthus
sp. ate the puparia in the laboratory.
Of the Carabidae, Bembidion lampros and Trechus quadristriatus
were shown by Jones (1969) to feed on eggs of 0. frit L. in the laboratory.
0. frit larvae were eaten by Agonum dorsale, Notiophilus biguttatus (F.),
Harpalus rujipes (Degeer) and Trechus quudristriatus. Dobson (1961)
showed that A . dorsale would feed on the eggs of the wheat bulb fly
Leptohylemyia coarctata in the laboratory, whilst Coaker and Williams
(1963) showed that it was a predator of cabbage root fly in the field.
Pollard (1968) noted that in the laboratory it climbed freely and fed on
aphids on leaves of brussels sprouts. According to Davies (1963)
members of the genus Amara are phytophagous and feed on leaves
of grasses and on seeds.