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Title
Observations of nectarivorous birds and potential biological control agents in berry orchards
Author(s)
Publication Date
2023-05-25
Open Access
Yes
Abstract
<p>We observed the brown honeyeater, <i>Lichmera indistincta</i>, visiting blueberry orchards in eastern Australia. <i>L. indistincta</i> is considered to be a nectarivorous bird, feeding almost entirely on nectar. However, we report observations of this species as both a nectarivore and insectivore in blue-berry crops and as an insectivore in raspberry crops. Brown honeyeaters may be acting as biological control agents when feeding on leaf-roller caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in blueberry orchards and on brown blow-flies (<i>Calliphora stygia</i>) in raspberry orchards. Although most blueberry growing regions use managed honey bees as the main pollinator, more studies on the complex tritrophic interactions occurring in these crops are needed to better understand the costs and benefits of different farm management practices upon alternative pollinators.</p>
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Ecosphere, 14(5), p. 1-6
Publisher
Ecological Society of America
Place of Publication
United States of America
ISSN
2150-8925
File(s)
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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