Observations of nectarivorous birds and potential biological control agents in berry orchards

Abstract We observed the brown honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta, visiting blueberry orchards in eastern Australia. L. indistincta 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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Karen C. B. S. Santos, Abby E. Davis, Maurizio Rocchetti, Brad Hocking, Bar Shermeister, Romina Rader
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-05-01
Series:Ecosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4527
Description
Summary:Abstract We observed the brown honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta, visiting blueberry orchards in eastern Australia. L. indistincta 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 blueberry 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 blowflies (Calliphora stygia) 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.
ISSN:2150-8925