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STUDIES ON THE ARTHROPOD FAUNA OF ALFALFA: II. ARTHROPOD–FUNGUS ASSOCIATIONS1
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
Abstract
Observations were made during 1967 to 1969 at Ithaca, N.Y., supplemented by collections at New Cumberland and Carlisle, Pa., on arthropods associated with fungi occurring on alfalfa, Medicago saliva L. Five species of Coleoptera, two species of Diptera, one species each of Collembola and Psocoptera, and nine species of Acari were reared or collected consistently from fungus-covered alfalfa leaves, stems, and seed pods. Attraction to fungi on the plants, principally Alternaria sp., accounted for the presence on alfalfa of arthropod species that normally might be considered as accidentals or visitors. The mycetophagous species thus contributed to the richness of the alfalfa fauna. Immature stages of several species were collected only in late fall or on 3- or 4-year-old plants. The possible role of the fungus-feeding species in seasonal changes in the alfalfa fauna and changes in the fauna in successive years is discussed.
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- Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1972
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