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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2015 Publication Date: 10/5/2015 Citation: Steffan, S. 2015. Unification of the macro- and microbiome in trophic ecology [abstract]. Mini-Workshop on Compound Specific Isotope Analysis of Amino Acids. Paper No. 3. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Biological control is a key part of virtually any IPM program, and microbial bio-control agents represent particularly effective agents because of their capacity to be applied via conventional spray application methods. We are showing that fungi function just as arthropods do in the food web—the fungi literally capture, subdue, and eat their prey. This is a tremendously important pest management “service” supplied by the resident fungi, but it often goes overlooked by food web studies of agricultural systems. Of course, carnivorous fungi also attack and kill beneficial arthropods, as well. Our molecular methods are quantifying the degree to which any given fungus or insect feeds on pest versus beneficial insects. |
