Data from: Enhancing natural enemies in sugar beet fields: The impact of flower strip types and landscape elements
Data files
Oct 29, 2025 version files 114.71 KB
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flower_measurments_20240827.csv
47.81 KB
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flower_volumes_per_4_m2_in_mm3_20240827.csv
29.62 KB
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metadata_2025_02_18.csv
33.58 KB
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README.md
3.70 KB
Abstract
Flower strips (FS) enhance predators that can help regulate aphids. In sugar beet crops, early-season aphid populations can spread viruses, so timely FS resources are key to attract aphid predators to reduce virus transmission. This study aims to identify the optimal FS type(s) for supporting aphid antagonists in early spring, track their abundances in the different FS types, and analyze the landscape factors influencing antagonist presence. We selected three different seed mixtures, each sown on 10 sugar beet fields managed without insecticides. FS types were compared to sugar beet strips in fields without insecticides and conventionally managed fields, both served as controls. We assessed the strips by counting flowers and collecting insects with a sweep net in mid-April, early May, and early June. Autumn-sown annual and second-year perennial FS produced greater and earlier flower volumes than other treatments. Over time, the flower compositions of these two FS types also became increasingly distinct from each other. Aphid antagonists were more abundant in these FS types compared to spring-sown annual FS and controls. Hoverfly communities differed between autumn-sown and perennial FS. Braconidae were positively linked to forest cover within 500 m, while hoverflies showed a negative association with forest at the 2000 m scale. Overall, autumn-sown annual and perennial FS are better suited for conservation biocontrol of aphids in sugar beet systems than spring-sown annual FS. Hoverfly composition differences may lead to variation in aphid suppression. From a landscape perspective, forested areas near fields within otherwise open landscapes are important in supporting beneficial insects.
Column description for flower_measurments_20240827.csv
- name_scientific Indicates the scientific plant name
- nema_german indicates the German plant name
- diameter_in_mm indicates the diameter of a spherical flower unit (exception in the Asteraceae family, the whole capitulum, including petals, was measured)
- height_in_mm indicates the height of a spherical flower unit (exception in the Asteraceae family, the whole capitulum, including petals, was measured)
- length_in_mm indicates the length of a tubular flower unit (exception in the Asteraceae family, the whole capitulum, including petals, was measured)
- width_in_mm indicates the width of a tubular flower unit (exception in the Asteraceae family, the whole capitulum, including petals, was measured
- Comments that were made are noted there and missing data represented as NA.
Column description for flower_volumes_per_4_m2_in_mm3_20240827.csv
- Field_ID indicates each field.
- This indicates the date at which the sampling took place.
- sampling_nr indicates the sampling number.
- Observer indicates the persons by their initials who were taking the samples.
- Treatment Indicates the treatments (AFS = autumn-sown annual FS, PFS = perennial FS, SFS = spring-sown annual FS, CIP = control IP, CON = control conventional
- Species richness indicates the number of flowering species found.
- Column H to BL: Different plant species and their corresponding flower volume per 4 m2 in mm3.
Column description for metadata_2025_02_18.csv
- Field indicates the ID of the field
- Treatment Indicates the treatments (AFS = autumn-sown annual FS, PFS = perennial FS, SFS = spring-sown annual FS, CIP = control IP, CON = control conventional
- varies indicates the sugar beet variety that was sown on the field.
- Area_FS_a The area of the flower strip on the sugar beet field in ares (10m2)
- Saat_, ZR the date when the sugar beets were sown
- area_field_a The area of the sugar beet field in ares (10m2)
- Gemeinde: The municipality the field was located.
- Column I-K: The number of Braconidae found in the FS in the corresponding sampling time point.t
- Column L-N: The number of parasitic wasps (incl. Braconidae) found in the FS in the corresponding sampling time point.t
- Column O-Q: The number of hoverflies (aphidophagous and non-aphidophagous species) found in the FS in the corresponding sampling time point
- Column R-BJ All found hoverfly species are listed for each sampling time point. The numbers indicate the found individuals in the FS and the corresponding time point.
- Column BK-BM: The number of aphidophagous hoverflies found in the FS in the corresponding sampling time point
- Column BN-BP: The number of ladybird larvae found in the FS in the corresponding sampling time point
- Column BQ-BS: The number of ladybird adults found in the Fatithe the corresponding sampling time point
- Column BT-BV: The number of aphids found in the FS at the corresponding sampling time point
- Column BW-BY: The number of lacewing larvae found in the FS in the corresponding sampling time point
- Column BZ-C: B The number of lacewing adults found in the Fatithe n corresponding sampling time point
- Column CC-: CG The share of flowering elements in the surrounding (different radii correspond to different columns)
- Column CH-CL The share of forest in the surrounding (different radii correspond to different columns)
- Column CM-: FZ The number of flower counts per species in the corresponding sampling round. If a sampling round is not present, the count was 0.