the strange case of
TRANSCRIPT
The strange case of
Phacelia tanacetifoliaA Preliminary Ecological Study
Andrea Mengassini, B.Sc. Entomologist
DNApi Lab
Monika M. Grygielewicz, Ph.D. Ecologist
FLORApis Beekeeping Group
Introducing Phacelia…
P. crenulata
P. calthifolia
P. fremontii
P. tanacetifoliaP. tanacetifolia
What is Phacelia…
SystematicsSystematics
Asteride “Core”Subclade: Euasteride I
Order: SolanalesFamily: HydrophyllaceaeGenus: PhaceliaSpecies: tanacetifoliaJudd et al. “Plant Systematics”Sinauer Ass. Inc. Publ.
Solanales
Hydrophyllaceae(= Boraginaceae)
Taxonomy - Angiosperm Phylogeny Group
Phacelia Phacelia tanacetifoliatanacetifolia
Phacelia tanacetifolia
from arid regions of USA and Mexico
Worldwide distribution
Phacelia Biogeography
Phacelia in Europe
In Italy and Greece
from the New Worldto Europe
Why a so large distribution ??
Ecological behaviour
Agricultural facilities
Beekeeping applications
BIOLOGY
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Ecological behaviour
BIOLOGY
Good adaptability to a wide range of climate and soil types;
Well germination at cool temperatures;
Spring and Summer Phaceliaflowers approximately 6-8 weeks after germination;
Flowering goes on for 6 to 8 weeks
Agricultural facilities - 1
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Good performance in limiting nitrateleaching when planted in early fall;
Rustic species that germinates in an ample range of temperature (3-20°C);
It grows luxuriant on dry and drainedsubstratum.
Agricultural facilities - 2
The radical apparatus is very developedand it improves the structure of the ground, activating the nourishings for the other crops in rotation;
Its growth is rapid and competes withthe infesting weeds, realizing a good natural biological control (allelopathy);
It is an excellent crop of coverage(cover crop).
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Beekeeping applications
It’s a very prolonged nectar-provider, flowering for 4-8 weeks; nectar of high quality, source ofenergetic CHOs;
It also provides high quality pollen(used as proteic nourishment for the production of eggs from the Queen).
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
That’s why
I like Phacelia !! I buy it and I sow it !!
… but !!
Considerable increase in pronuba populations and in so many other
entomological species
What kind of “other entomological species”…??
2 private 2 private fieldsfields in:in:
- wooded landscape- agricultural area
Ist Sampling:May 01 – August 31, 2007
Phacelia tanacetifolia setup:April 01, 2008
Rocca Priora, RM
Latina
Landing-net
direct capture every two hours from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
IInd Sampling: May 01 – August 31, 2008Entomological Techniques
Malaise Trap
RESULTS(1)
Differencesin entomo-populationsbefore/after
Phaceliasetupin field
2007
“Entomo”- Sampling beforebefore
Phacelia tanacetifolia setup
2008
“Entomo” - Sampling afterafter
Phacelia tanacetifolia setup
Sampling 2008
Site A
Rocca Priora
Sampling 2008
Site B
Latina
RESULTS(2)
Differencesin entomo-populationsbetween
the 2 sites
Clusters of Entomo-Populationsbefore/after Phacelia tanacetifolia Setup
Coleoptera Coccinellidae
Coleoptera Scarabaeidae
Diptera Agromyzidae
Diptera Syrphidae
Hemiptera Aphididae
Hemiptera Pentatomidae
Hymenoptera Apidae
Hymenoptera Formicidae
Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Coccinellidae
Before
After
Co Sc Ag Sy Aph Pe Apo Fo Ic
Patterns & Dynamics of Entomo-Populationsbefore/after Phacelia tanacetifolia Setup
Preliminary Ecological Study - CONCLUSIONS
Very strong attraction on entomofauna in landscape, duringflowering, caused by nectar- and pollen-providing;
We noticed in the experimental areas an increase of infestationsof harmful entomospecies to disadvantage of the useful onesin biological control (IPM);
High competition level if Phacelia blooms at the same time of other melliferous plants in field
In conclusion: Phacelia is good for bees & beekeepers, not so good for environment
For all these reasons: we suggest an evaluation of environmental impact before Phacelia sets up in field
Preliminary Ecological Study - CONCLUSIONS
The strange case of Phacelia tanacetifolia…