The Ecological Impacts of Non-Native Annual and Native Perennial Floral Insectaries on Beneficial Insect Activity Density and Arthropod-Mediated Ecosystem Services Within Ohio Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Agroecosystems Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Benjamin W. Phillips, B.S. Graduate Program in Department of Entomology The Ohio State University 2013 Thesis Committee: Mary Gardiner, Advisor – The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH Karen Goodell – The Ohio State University, Newark, OH Robin Taylor –Texas A&M University, Temple, TX Celeste Welty – The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Copyright by Benjamin Walter Phillips 2013 Abstract Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) rely on insect-mediated pollination, and host a distinct community of pests, natural enemies and pollinators. My goal was to determine if biocontrol and pollination services in pumpkins were affected by local habitat management and landscape composition in Ohio. I measured biocontrol through predation and parasitism rates of sentinel egg cards of squash bug (Anasa tristis) and the spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardii), and collected adults of striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) to determine parasitism activity in 2011- 2012. I used pitfall traps to determine the activity density of ground-dwelling predators per field per sample period, and video cameras to determine the taxa responsible for egg mortality. I measured visitation frequency and duration of Apis mellifera, Bombus spp., and Peponapis pruinosa in male and female flowers of pumpkins in 2011-2012, and pollen deposition across the pollination window (0600-1200 hr) in 2012. I tested the Intermediate Landscape-Complexity Hypothesis in one year by determining the combined effects of surrounding landscape composition and local habitat management on the relative visit frequency of pollinators, activity density of predators, and rates of predation and parasitism services by ranking general linear mixed models. I found that only D. undecimpunctata experienced a significant amount of egg predation, which was positively correlated to the percentage of field crops within a 1500 m radius of pumpkin fields. The parasitism of A. vittatum and the visitation frequency of A. mellifera was ii diluted in the presence of fruit and vegetable habitats within a 1500 m radius, and P. pruinosa visit frequency was diluted within a 500 m radius. Parasitism of A. vittatum was positively associated with urban habitats within a 500 m radius, and the visit frequency of P. pruinosa was positively associated with urban habitats within a 1500 m radii. Predation of A. tristis and D. undecimpunctata eggs and parasitism of A. vittatum adults were not significantly affected by the addition of annual non-native floral insectaries of sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) or a perennial native insectary planted adjacent to the crop. Formicidae were the largest contributor to egg predation, and also responded positively to urban habitats. Activity density of Carabidae and Orthoptera captured in pitfalls located in alyssum insectaries increased with higher percentages of mowed turfgrass habitats. In 2011 A. mellifera was more abundant in flowers than other bees, and in 2012 Bombus spp. was the most abundant. A. mellifera spent more time in flowers, and had a higher visit frequency in female flowers. In both years, Bombus spp. had a significantly higher visit frequency after 0700 hr, and both Bombus spp. and P. pruinosa spent less time in flowers after 0800 hr. Pollen loads on female flowers indicated that the majority of pollen deposited across the 6 hr window was transferred between 0600-0800 hr, which is when all three bee species foraged with equal frequency and similar visit duration, though Bombus spp. was the largest contributor. Alyssum and perennial floral insectaries did not have an effect on the foraging activity of bees. However, visits to pumpkins by A. mellifera showed that pumpkin fields close to an increased percentage of forest habitats supported higher visit frequencies to pumpkins with alyssum floral insectaries. iii Dedication To Albert Reading (1944 - 2013), who abstained advanced treatment of mesothelioma, and instead donated much of the compensation money he was receiving to his nieces and nephews so we could pay off our college debts. iv Acknowledgments Alphabetical order by contribution, which unfortunately does not emphasize the substantial overlap between these categories… Lab and Professional Supporters: Caitlin Burkman, Brenda Franks, Mary Gardiner, Karen Goodell, Matt Grieshop, Jim Jasinski, Lori Jones, Andrea Kautz, Scott Prazjner, Ian McIlvaine, Chelsea Smith, Rebecca Smyth, Robin Taylor, and Celeste Welty Farmers and Collaborators on the Project: Jim Badger, Brad Bergefurd, Jon Branstrator, Steve Cory, Steve Finney, Lee French, Thom Harker, Mark Hoverstock, Lloyd King, Carmella Massaro, The Pollinator Partnership, Ben Richardson, Norm Staufer, Randy Tegtmeier, Cameron Way, Fred Weaver, Brandon Weber, and Chris Vodraska Statistical Help: Larry Phelan, Diego Rincon, and Alain Zuur Family & Friends: Teresa Campton, Sarah Esralew, Marla Greanya, Tony Gregorc, J. Randall Hicks, Jason Hudson, Kyle Hutson, Liz Kolbe, Mitch Lettow, Larry Long, Kayla Perry, Bob/Mary/Jackie Phillips, Rob Stuckert, Laura Willis v Vita 20 December 1985……………………………...Born a gentleman 2004…………………………………………… East Kentwood High School 2009…………………………………………… B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University 2010-Present……………………………………Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University Fields of Study Major Field: Entomology vi Table of Contents ABSTRACT!.............................................................................................................................................!II! DEDICATION!..........................................................................................................................................!IV! ACKNOWLEDGMENTS!...........................................................................................................................!V! LIST OF TABLES!..............................................................................................................................!VIII! LIST OF FIGURES!...............................................................................................................................!IX! CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION!.........................................................................................................!1! BACKGROUND ON PUMPKIN (CUCURBITA PEPO) AGROECOSYSTEMS!..........................!1! HABITAT MANAGEMENT TO CONSERVE WILDLIFE, INCLUDING BENEFICIAL INSECTS!...................................................................................................................................................................!6! LANDSCAPE EFFECTS ON INSECTS IN AGROECOSYSTEMS!................................................!14! THIS STUDY!........................................................................................................................................................!17! OBJECTIVES!.......................................................................................................................................................!18! CHAPTER 2. PREDATION AND PARASITISM OF CUCURBITA PEPO PESTS IN OHIO AGROECOSYSTEMS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN NON-NATIVE ANNUAL FLORAL INSECTARY (LOBULARIA MARITIMA) AND A NATIVE PERENNIAL FLORAL INSECTARY MIX!................................................................................................................................!22! ABSTRACT!..........................................................................................................................................................!22! INTRODUCTION!...............................................................................................................................................!23! METHODS!............................................................................................................................................................!31! RESULTS!..............................................................................................................................................................!41! DISCUSSION!.......................................................................................................................................................!49! TABLES!.................................................................................................................................................................!59! FIGURES!...............................................................................................................................................................!65! CHAPTER 3. POLLINATION OF CUCURBITA PEPO IN OHIO AGROECOSYSTEMS BY NATIVE AND MANAGED BEES IN THE PRESENCE OF A NON-NATIVE ANNUAL FLORAL INSECTARY (LOBULARIA MARITIMA)!...............................................!72! ABSTRACT!..........................................................................................................................................................!72! INTRODUCTION!...............................................................................................................................................!73! METHODS!............................................................................................................................................................!79!