Multi-functionality across insect life stages: Green Lacewing ecosystem Services
Many insects, including green lacewings, interact with multiple plants throughout their lifecycle, providing different ecosystem services across different life stages. Green lacewing predate upon aphids as larvae and, as adults, act as pollinators.
Many insects, including green lacewings, interact with multiple plants throughout their lifecycle, providing different ecosystem services across different life stages. Green lacewing predate upon aphids as larvae and, as adults, act as pollinators.
This project, led by Kenyon Biology major Harrison Solomon, asks the following questions:
1. What is the effective of lacewing larvae as aphid predators in Brassica agricultural systems and, therefore the effects of lacewing larvae on the yield of Brassica crops? 2. How does neighborhood flower density correlate with adult lacewing abundance? This work is supported by the Kenyon Farm Fellows program. |
Figure created by Harrison Solomon
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Effects of biochar on plant productivity and soil micro-arthropods
A pilot project spearheaded by Kenyon Biology major Megan Lydon investigated the impact of biochar, a common soil amendment, on plant germination and collembola preference. Six treatment groups containing differing ratios of soil, compost and biochar were tested. Kale germination rates were high across all 6 treatments, indicating that up to 50% biochar does not inhibit plant germination. Methodological procedures for collembola preference trials were refined, resulting in a successful protocol (pictured to the right). Petri dishes were divided, with different treatment mixtures on either side of the divider. Collembola were added in the center and the divider removed. After 48 hours, the substrates were separated and thoroughly submerged in water. Live collembola, which float to the top, were counted in each treatment. Additional tests are needed to determine if collembola respond consistently to biochar presence or concentration. |