Spatial and temporal aphid predation data for four temperate alley-cropping agroforestry sites from 2023

This dataset is provided by the SIGNAL subproject “Macrofauna diversity and pest control in temperate agroforestry systems” and contains aphid predation data from aphid cards of four cropland alley-cropping sites in Northern Germany. Each site comprised of an alley-cropping agroforestry system (AF) and an adjacent open cropland system (OC) serving as a reference land-use system without trees. At each agroforestry system, three subplots were established and arranged along linear transects orthogonal to the orientation of the tree row, spanning from the edge of the tree row to the center of the crop row. Each subplot in the agroforestry systems contained a transect with sampling points at 1, 7, and 24 m (center of the crop row) distance from the tree row edge into the crop row. Open cropland systems had three subplots (sampling point) with a minimum distance of 25 m between each other and at least 30 m to the field margins. At each sampling point two aphid cards were laid out. In total, 24 aphid cards (18 agroforestry, 6 open cropland) were set up at each site. Aphid cards were manufactured using conventional sand paper (grain-size 400) folded up like a gable. On one of the rough interior sides six glue dots (UHU, Max Repair; Universal) were placed with a distance of 1 cm to each other. After placing adult black bean aphids (Aphis fabae) alive on the glue dots, aphid cards were immediately frozen at -20°C. Aphids, which were lost before exposure were counted and excluded from evaluation. Aphid cards were exposed for 48h in May and five weeks later (35 days) in June. After exposure, aphid cards were evaluated under the microscope regarding the type of damage they received (abducted, chewing marks).

Research domain: Ecology of Agricultural Landscapes

Research question: None