Reduction of predation by fox (Vulpes vulpes): Ιndirect techniques
The fox causes decline in populations of threatened species and economic losses in hunting and livestock sectors. The search for non-lethal indirect techniques to manage fox predation has intensified over the last years. The more efficient indirect techniques are the modifying the predator community, the use of fencing and guarding dogs.
Presence and seasonal appearance of Orthoptera in a lowland and a mountain area in the prefecture of Attica
This study refers to the qualitative and quantitative composition of Orthoptera fauna in a lowland (Athens International Airport, Α.Ι.Α.) and a mountain region (at the mountain Parnitha). In A.I.A. two places were used, one at the East and one at the West side. The samples were taken at 7-10 days intervals during the year 2007. At the East and West side of the A.I.A. eighteen and twenty species were found respectively. At the mountain area sixteen species were found. According to the dominance and frequency criteria at the East side of the A.I.A. the species Calliptamus barbarus barbarus were found dominant and constant, Dociostaurus maroccanus and Decticus albifrons dominant and accessory, Pezotettix giornae, Chorthippus sp., Oedipoda miniata and Platycleis affinis affinis influent and accessory and all the others recedent and accidental. At the West side of the A.I.A. the species Calliptamus barbarus barbarus, Dociostaurus maroccanus and Chorthippus sp. were found dominant and accessory, Pezotettix giornae, Decticus albifrons, Platycleis affinis affinis and Tettigonia viridissima dominant and accidental, Oedipoda miniata and Mogoplistes brunneus influent and accidental and all the others recedent and accidental. At the mountain area the species Chorthippus biguttulus were found dominant and constant, Euchorthippus pulvinatus, Pezotettix giornae and Poecilimon propinquus dominant and accidental, Platycleis albopunctata influent and accidental and all the others recedent and accidental. The species belonging to the family Tettigoniidae appeared early in spring. They increased their population densities on April-May in the lowland and on May-June in the mountain area and stopped appearing on late June and mid July respectively. The species belonging to the family Acrididae were showed up later in the mountain than the lowland area. The species of this family showed up later than the Tettigoniidae species in both areas. They showed high population densities from May to July in the lowland and from May to September in the mountain area and stopped appearing on late October in both areas.
Occurrence and seasonal fluctuation of Thysanopterοus insects and the mite Eriophyes medicaginis in a new crop of lucerne in Kopais (Central Greece)
The present survey deals with population dynamics, dominancy and frequency of Thysanoptera and the mite Eriophyes medicaginis (Acari: Prostigmata) found in a new crop of lucerne (Medicago sativa) in Kopais (Central Greece) in 2007. A local cultivar (Hiliki) of lucerne was sown there in 2006. Two experimental plots were used, 1000 m2 each. Both were treated as the rest of the crop apart from being sprayed with insecticides. One plot was harvested six times and the other one only four times. Sampling consisted of getting randomly 36 samples of ten shoots of lucerne (approximately 15 cm lenght) once a month from each plot. According to the criteria of dominancy and frequency the species Frankliniella occidentalis (adults) was found to be significant and accidental in both plots, whereas Eriophyes medicaginis was found insignificant and accidental. Larvae of Thysanoptera were dominant and constant in both plots. Adults of Thysanoptera were significant in both plots, but only frequent in the less harvested plot and accidental in the other one. Population peaks of Thysanoptera were recorded in spring and summer, but no insects were found in January and August.
Fluctuation of soil acari fauna in a pasture, in Karditsa prefecture, Greece
Four samplings (May and October 2003, April and August 2004) took place in a pasture located near Neochori, Karditsa prefecture, Central Greece in order to investigate acari fauna in the surface (0- 5 cm depth) and sub-surface (5-10 cm depth) soil. Organic matter, N, P, Ca, Mg and K concentrations as well as pH value were also measured in the same soil layers. In total 17 acari taxa were found with Gryptostigmata as the most abundant. Higher population of acari fauna was found in April 2004 while the lowest one was detected in October 2003. N, Ca and organic matter higher concentrations were measured in August 2004 while P higher concentration was measured in May 2003. In all samplings, the highest numbers of individuals as well as the higher N concentration were found in the surface soil layer.
Economic features of Hare hunting
Three economic dimensions have been examined by questionnaires completed by hunters of hare (L. europeaus) in Central Macedonia. The following results have been found: 1) Frequency of hunting: Hunters of higher education level present lower hunting frequency, while the ones who began hunting earlier, hunt more frequently. 2) Tendency of traveling in groups by car: Hare hunters from cities or big towns usually travel in groups by car and they share the travel cost, while these who started accompanying other hunters in early age also do not travel alone. 3) Travel distance: Hunters who came in contact with hunting by magazines or originate from cities and big towns tend to travel further in order to find a desirable hunting place.
