Description:
<jats:p>The effects of insecticides that are commonly used for conventional and
integrated oilseed rape (OSR) management on ground beetles were studied.
Monitoring of harmful species showed that only insecticides intended against
Ceutorhynchus napi should be applied. There were no differences in beetle
numbers and phenology of settling of C. napi in the OSR fields that received
different management practices. The type of OSR management has a primary and
significant impact on ground beetles abundance. Early in the spring, ground
beetles settled more massively on the non-tilled OSR field with abundant weed
cover and mulch on soil surface. However, there were no significant
differences in species richness between the OSR fields managed differently. A
total of 22 species were recorded. Early in the spring, the granivorous
ground beetles Amara aenea (47.3%) and Harpalus distinguendus (32.5%) were
dominant. When insecticides were applied, immigration of ground beetles
began, so that their adverse effect was minimal. In both management systems
the number of ground beetles and their diversity increased after spraying. In
conclusion, no significant harmful effects of the insecticides on ground
beetles were detected in OSR fields managed in two different ways.</jats:p>