The influence of field boundary structure on heteropteran densities within adjacent cereal fields.

Abstract

Densities of the true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) within cereal field headlands were studied with respect to headland aspect and structure of the adjacent boundary. The influence of these features on the dominant heteropteran species Calocoris norvegicus and two pooled Heteropteran groups, grass feeders and predatory species were studied. Boundary type affected the distribution of all groups with most individuals being found in headlands adjacent to hedgerows. The effect of aspect was less obvious, Calocoris norvegicus was most numerous in west-facing headlands, while the groups of predatory and grass-feeding species were more numerous in north-facing ones.