Habitat Modification Alters Food Web Interactions with Focus on Biological Control of Aphids in Apple Orchards

To date, direct interactions between pests and natural enemies are often considered in biocontrol programs. Recently there has been an increase of evidence for the importance third-party mediated indirect determining population dynamics insects. Predicting strength such remains a central challenge assessments. Here, two field experiments were performed years to investigate which extent Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini, Aphis pomi De Geer, Myzus cerasi Fabricius might indirectly interact through shared ants. We first studied target insects isolated orchards apples cherries. Secondly, we investigated how spatial coexistence aphid-infested cherries can affect apple aphids via In experiment, nine parasitoid species recorded on cherry aphids, among them three common. Six predatory families found while only one ant species, Lasius niger L., was associating with these aphids. second temporal variation enemy-mediated apparent competition M. found. The aphid is likely be important source that attack early season. Significantly reduced numbers ants intercropping habitat Our results emphasize considering designing pest management strategies.