Infection of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) by an endophyte fungus (Neotyphodium lolii) decreases the abundance and diversity of predators and parasitoids

Abstract

(E) and Alto AR1 (E+). We observed an 80% endophyte infection rate for (E+) and 0% for (E). Moreover, 222 individual spiders corresponding to 10 families were identified in both perennial ryegrasses, including 209 individuals for (E) and 13 for (E+). The most abundant spider family was Lycosidae, representing 71.17% of the total spiders. In addition, 65 insects were collected, corresponding to 6 families, with Carabidae being the most abundant. Furthermore, the Simpson index indicated the dominance of the family Lycosidae. Overall, spider and insect abundance and diversity were reduced in (E+), suggesting a negative effect of the endophyte on predator populations.