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Title: Predation of warm-and cool-season grass seed by the common cricket (Acheta domesticus L.)

Author
item Williams, Robert
item Bartholomew, Paul

Submitted to: Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2010
Publication Date: 2/11/2010
Citation: Williams, R.D., Bartholomew, P.W. 2010. Predation of warm-and cool-season grass seed by the common cricket (Acheta domesticus L.) [abstract]. Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts, February 7-11, 2010, Denver, CO. Abstract No. O-301. Available On-line: https/srm.conference-services.net/reports/template/onetexabstract.xml?xsl+template/onetextabstract.xsl&conferenceID=1756&abstractID=342681

Interpretive Summary: Abstract only.

Technical Abstract: In field experiments we noted that one of the main predators of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) seed was the field cricket (Gryllus sp.). To determine if there might be a seed predation preference among forage grasses a laboratory study was conducted using the common cricket (Acheta domesticus L.). Five warm- and six cool-season grasses were selected and feeding studies were conducted over a three day period. The study was designed as a randomized complete block and repeated in time to provide six replications. Seed consumption ranged from 33 % for intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey] to 100% for Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Consumption of cool-season grass forages seed was slightly greater (77%) than warm-season grass forages (62%), and the difference between the groups was not related to seed size based on 1000-seed weight. Among the cool-season grasses timothy (Phleum pratense L.), Kentucky bluegrass, and orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) had the greatest predation (96 to 100%), while little blue-stem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash] and foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] had the greatest predation (89 and 80%, respectively) among the warm-season grasses. There was a tendency for greater consumption of the smaller seed. However, the consumption of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) was less than foxtail millet and little blue-stem, although its seed size was intermediate between the two other grasses.