Prays oleae (Bernard), its potential predators and biocontrol depend on the structure of the surrounding landscape

Arthropod populations from agricultural fields sometimes depend on the surrounding landscape structure, both composition and configuration, which affects multiple life-history traits of arthropods such as resources for survival, dispersion or death risk (e.g., predation parasitism). Moreover, effect may vary with distance to crop, depending factors organism requirements capabilities. This work addresses (at five different scales 250 1500 m) olive moth (Prays oleae Bernard, a key pest in orchards), some its most relevant natural enemies, biological control. The two-years study 15 groves southeastern Madrid, Spain shows that complexity favours control moth, P. oleae. Simple landscapes favour attack crop (measured oviposition anthophagous generation) egg carpophagous generation is cases enhanced complex landscapes. Lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are responsible increase On other hand, role pirate bugs (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) agent this part life cycle was not demonstrated. They respond primarily Euphyllura olivina (Costa) Psyllidae) more abundant simple Most significant relationships were detected at 750–1000 m radii buffers around sampled suggesting main activity range adults generation. In sum, our results suggest configurations enhance through favouring lacewings