Impact of Cheiracanthium pelasgicum (Araneae: Miturgidae) and Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) intraguild predation on the potential control of cotton pest Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Antagonist interactions such as intraguild predation (IGP) or cannibalism among predatory arthropods can reduce the impact of these invertebrates on pest limitation in agroecosystems. Here, the effects of IGP between two major natural enemies of cotton pests, the cursorial spider Cheiracanthium pelasgicum (C.L. Koch) and the common green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), were studied under laboratory conditions. First, a feeding preference test was carried out to determine the degree of C. pelasgicum preference for lacewing larvae, using second-instar Helicoverpa armigera larvae as alternative prey. In a second bioassay, the effects of predator interactions on potential predation of H. armigera larvae were analysed using three treatment combinations (plus a control with no predator): (1) spider alone, (2) lacewing larvae alone, (3) spider + lacewing larvae. Potential predation by C. pelasgicum on lacewing eggs was also studied. C. pelasgicum showed no significant preference for either of the two species, indicating that this spider may impact negatively on the green lacewing population. Findings revealed no additive effects and an antagonist interaction between C. pelasgicum and green lacewing larvae, which adversely affected H. armigera suppression; both predators displayed lower predation rates when kept together than either predator alone. However, presence of lacewing larvae and subsequent unidirectional IGP did not affect the predation capacity of C. pelasgicum. Finally, predation rates of C. pelasgicum on lacewing eggs were very low (mean 2.35 ± 0.71 eggs, 24 h after offering) indicating that the impact of C. pelasgicum on lacewing populations may be limited.     

Functional Response of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to Sugarcane Whitefly Aleurolobus barodensis (Maskell) in Laboratory Conditions

A functional response study of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) larvae to different densities of sugar cane whitefly Aleurolobus barodensis (Maskell) was conducted in test tubes at 26?±?2 °C, 65?±?5 % RH. Chrysoperla carnea showed two different types of functional response in larval instars. First instar exhibits type II. However, second and third larval instars revealed type III functional response. Based on modified Holling’s disk equation, the highest searching rates (a) of 0.82?±?0.0247 h^?1 was found for first instar larva. For second and third larval instars, the attack coefficient (b) were 0.002?±?0.030 and 0.0025?±?0.0424 respectively. The shortest handling time (T_h) per prey was observed at third instar stage (1.574?±?0.0568 h) followed by second and first instar with 1.72?±?0.0411 h and 1.919?±?0.0568 h respectively.     

Predation capacity and prey preference of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysoperla carnea</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pieris brassicae</Emphasis>

The predation capacity and prey preference of larvae of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on eggs or larvae of Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in the absence and presence of cabbage aphids as an alternative prey were evaluated in laboratory experiments at 25°C. Both instars preyed upon butterfly eggs and larvae as well as on cabbage aphids with the third instar being the most voracious. The lacewings had a strong preference for caterpillars to butterfly eggs. In the presence of the aphids the predation on P. brassicae eggs or larvae was either completely abandoned or reduced by about 70%, respectively, by second instar lacewings and either reduced by about 80% or maintained, respectively, by third instar lacewings. Both instars thus had a clear preference for aphids compared to eggs of P. brassicae. However, second instar lacewings preferred aphids to caterpillars whereas the opposite was the case for third instar lacewings. The results indicate that 3rd instar C. carnea has a potential as biocontrol agent against P. brassicae.     

Evaluation of factors influencing augmentative releases of Chrysoperla carnea for control of Scirtothrips perseae in California avocado orchards

Weekly releases of Chrysoperla carnea for control of Scirtothrips perseae were evaluated in replicated field plots in two commercial avocado orchards in southern California, USA. Two release techniques and rates commonly employed by commercial pest control advisors who routinely use this generalist predator for S. perseae control were assessed. Release technique one utilized C. carnea eggs glued to paper squares that were stapled to leaves of experimental trees at a rate of 41,000 eggs per ha. Release technique two used a motorized backpack sprayer to apply a dry mixture of lacewing eggs and larvae to trees at a rate of 514,501 per ha. Pest populations were monitored by making bi-weekly population counts of S. perseae larvae and adults on leaves, and adult densities were simultaneously monitored in each experimental plot with yellow sticky cards. In the laboratory, degree-day accumulation until death of immature C. carnea was determined at temperatures representative of field conditions when predators were provisioned with varying amounts of food or different food types. Preference for S. perseae instars by first, second, and third instar C. carnea was assessed in the laboratory, and intraguild predation towards larvae and adult females of a co-occurring generalist predatory thrips, Franklinothrips orizabensis, was investigated along with intraspecific predation rates. Both release strategies failed to significantly reduce S. perseae populations in comparison to non-treated control plots. Approximately 35–96% of C. carnea eggs and larvae applied with the motorized sprayer landed on the ground. C. carnea larvae lived for approximately 1–2 days when provisioned with either no food, an avocado leaf or avocado pollen. Longevity was extended to 14–15 days when prey was provided. C. carnea larvae showed no preference for first or second instar S. perseae, all predator instars attacked first instar F. orizabensis, but only second and third instar C. carnea managed attacks on second instar F. orizabensis larvae. No adult female F. orizabensis were attacked and no attacks by F. orizabensis on C. carnea were recorded. Second instar C. carnea engaged in the highest levels of intraspecific predation.     

Functional response of different stages of Hippodamia variegata (Col.: Coccinellidae) to Diuraphis noxia (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on two wheat cultivars

As one of the most important natural enemies of aphids, lady beetles have been widely used for the control of pest aphids. Important to the efficiency of natural enemies is their functional response to varying prey densities. In this study, the functional response of Hippodamia variegata Goeze (Col.: Coccienllidae) to different densities of Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko was examined on two wheat cultivars with different resistance levels under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% RH and 16:8 L:D photoperiod). Our results revealed that all stages of H. variegata exhibited a type II functional response, in that predation decreased with increasing prey density. Searching efficiency (a) and handling time (T_h) of third instar larvae on the Sardari cultivar were 0.0285/h and 0.0079 h, while for fourth instar larvae these values were 0.0561/h and 1 × 10^?8 h, for males these values were 0.0412/h and 0.0173 h and for females were 0.059/h and 0.0168 h. The corresponding values for the back cross cultivar for third instar larvae were 0.0475/h and 0.0782 h, for fourth instar larvae were 0.0753/h and 0.0529 h, for males were 0.045/h and 0.0060 h and for females were 0.0516/h and 0.0077 h. This study demonstrated that these wheat cultivars do not have a significant effect on the functional response parameters of H. variegata life stages, except for the searching efficiency of third instar larvae and the handling time of male adults. The possible application of this species against Russian wheat aphids in an integrated pest management programme is also discussed.     

Suitability of exotic and native lady beetle eggs (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) for development of lady beetle larvae

Predation upon lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) eggs in the field is most often instances of egg cannibalism by larvae or adults while the majority of the remaining predation events upon coccinellid eggs is done by other species of Coccinellidae. Thus the recent introduction and establishment of Harmonia axyridis in the US could negatively affect native species of Coccinellidae via egg predation. However, little is known regarding the suitability of interspecific coccinellid eggs as a food source for larval development. In this study, it was found that native first or third instar Coleomegilla maculata and Olla v-nigrum larvae were incapable of surviving to the adult stage when provided solely exotic H. axyridis eggs. In stark contrast, H. axyridis larvae survived equally well when cannibalizing eggs or eating eggs of either native species. When C. maculata and O. v-nigrum were grouped as ‘native’ and compared with the exotic H. axyridis, more native eggs were attacked than exotic eggs and a higher percentage of eggs was attacked by H. axyridis larvae. Native and exotic larvae attacked a similar percentage of native eggs but native larvae attacked significantly fewer exotic eggs than did exotic larvae. These data suggest that H. axyridis may prey upon the eggs of these native species, when encountered in the field, compared with the likelihood of the native species preying upon H. axyridis eggs. Therefore, eggs of the native species C. maculata and O. v-nigrum will continue to be subjected to cannibalism and also to possible predation by other native species and the exotic H. axyridis.     

Predation and functional response of the multi-coloured Asian ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis on the adult Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri

Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a vector for the citrus Huanglongbing greening disease, which can reduce crop yields. Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is known to prey on D. citri nymphs; we investigated the predation capacity and functional response of H. axyridis on adult D. citri. H. axyridis larvae exhibited Holling’s type II functional response to different densities of adult D. citri. For second, third and fourth instar H. axyridis larvae, the successful attack rates were 0.75?±?0.22, 1.06?±?0.11, and 1.04?±?0.26, respectively; the handling times were 18.08?±?5.37, 0.45?±?0.07, and 0.24?±?0.07?h, respectively; and the estimated maximum predation rates were 4, 54, and 102, respectively. Fourth instar larvae had the lowest handling time. Adult H. axyridis consumed more D. citri adults maintained at 15–20°C than at 30–35°C, with an optimal temperature of 17.28°C. More adults were consumed during the day than at night, with peak consumption between 12:00 and 14:00?h, not differing significantly differ between predator genders. Adult H. axyridis reared on the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum were tested for D. citri predation; these H. axyridis had successful attack rates, handling times, and estimated maximal predation rates of 0.66?±?0.18, 0.82?±?0.26?h, and 29, respectively. Conversely, those fed and tested on D. citri had corresponding rates of 0.99?±?0.17, 0.38?±?0.12?h, and 63, respectively. Significant H. axyridis predation on adult D. citri indicated its enhanced role in suppressing both nymph and adult D. citri.     

Interference and competitive behaviour of the aphid predators,Chrysoperla carnea andCoccinella septempunctata in the laboratory

Interference and competition betweenChrysoperla carnea (Stephens) andCoccinella septempunctata L. was investigated in the absence and presence of aphid prey. When larvae of similar vigour encountered each other,C. carnea larvae were superior toC. septempunctata. Otherwise the larger of 2 individuals always killed the smaller. In the absence of preyC. carnea adults were attacked by their own 2nd and 3rd instar larvae as well as by 3rd instar larvae ofC. septempunctata. In all encounters the adults ofC. septempunctata were superior. Since the eggs ofC. carnea are protected to some extent by being on egg stalks, they were less susceptible to cannibalism and predation thanC. septempunctata eggs which are deposited in batches directly on plant leaves. In the presence of prey cannibalism and predation were reduced, especially between larvae. Only eggs and 1st instar larvae were endangered. In the present experimentsC. carnea showed a slight superiority overc. septempunctata. Paper presented at the 17th International Congress of Entomology held in August 20–26 1984 in Hamburg, F.R. Germany.     

Comparing the predatory performance of green lacewing on cotton bollworm on conventional and Bt cotton

We compared the survival of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs and larvae on Bt and conventional cotton, in the presence or absence of the generalist predator, green lacewing larvae, Mallada signatus, (Schneider) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). In small arenas, green lacewings consumed a similar number of H. armigera eggs (ave. 15.8 ± 1.3 on conventional, 12.6 ± 1.4 on Bt cotton per predator over 24 h) and larvae (ave. 6.8 ± 0.7 conventional, 6.5 ± 0.8 Bt per predator over 24 h) whether on Bt or conventional cotton leaves. Likewise, similar numbers of eggs were consumed by each lacewing larva searching whole plants of either Bt (ave. 15.5 ± 0.6 of 49 over 24 h) or conventional (ave. 13.6 ± 1.1 of 49 over 24 h). On conventional plants over 72 h, survival of H. armigera larvae was 72.8% and decreased to 37.7% when lacewings were present, giving a net consumption rate of 35.1% (8.6 prey per predator over 72 h). On Bt cotton plants, 13.6% of the H. armigera larvae survived after 72 h and this decreased to 1.7% when lacewings were present. This combination of mortality factors operated synergistically. Helicoverpa armigera larvae moved to fruiting structures on conventional or Bt cotton but failed to survive in the squares (young flower buds) when the impacts of Bt and lacewings were combined. The removal of first to second instar H. armigera larvae from squares of Bt cotton by predators has the potential to reduce immediate pest damage and, perhaps more importantly, remove potentially Bt‐resistant genotypes.     

黄玛草蛉幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫的捕食能力

【目的】明确本地优势天敌黄玛草蛉Mallada basalis对入侵我国的重大农业害虫草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda卵及低龄幼虫的捕食能力和生防潜力。【方法】在实验室条件下采用功能反应模型评价了黄玛草蛉2和3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的捕食能力。【结果】黄玛草蛉幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫的捕食量均随猎物密度的升高而增加,最后趋于捕食饱和状态,而其捕食率随猎物密度的升高而逐步下降,对不同发育阶段的草地贪夜蛾均表现为Ⅱ型功能反应。黄玛草蛉2龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的瞬时攻击率a分别为0.150, 0.084和0.094,处理时间Th分别为0.282, 0.333和0.519 h,理论日最大捕食量T/Th分别为85106粒、72072头和46.242头;黄玛草蛉3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的瞬时攻击率分别为2.018, 0.288和0.259,处理时间分别为0.102, 0.311和0.375 h,理论日最大捕食量分别为235294粒、77170头和64000头。【结论】黄玛草蛉2和3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫均具较强的捕食能力,其中黄玛草蛉3龄幼虫比2龄幼虫具有更强的捕食效率。     

Functional response and predation of Nabis kinbergii （Hemiptera. Nabidae） to Plutella xylostella （Lepidoptera. Plutellidae）

The functional response of adult Nabis kinbergii （Hemiptera： Nabidae） to density of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella （Lepidoptera： Plutellidae） was investigated under laboratory conditions. Holling＇ s （1959） type Ⅱ model was found to be a good fit for the observed functional response of this predator. The numbers of P. xylostella consumed increased with temperature from 15℃ to 35℃. The maximum number of prey killed was observed at 35℃, with average of 10.3 and 8.3 forth instar larvae consumed by adult females and males of N. kinbergii, respectively. The predation of N. kinbergii on P. xylostella increased with successive immature stages. The number of prey consumed by predators decreased as the body size of prey increased. An average of 131 eggs or 95 larvae of P. xylostella were killed by a single of female adult in 24 hours at 24＂C. The pupae of P. xylostella were observed to be eaten by fifth instar nymphs and adults N. kinbergiiin numbers of less than an average of 0.7 pupae per predator in 24 hours at 24＂C. Predation preference by N. kinbergii was also investigated. The number of P. xylostella and Myzus persicae killed by female N. kinbergii was not significantly different, but males killed significantly more P. xylostella than M. persicae. Both eggs and larvae of P. xylosteUa were killed in significantly greater number than those of Pieris rapae in the same feeding arena.     

Interaction of Acronicta rumicis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its larval parasitoid, Glyptapanteles liparidis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

As a result of parasitism by Glyptapanteles liparidis in the first, second, third and fourth instar larvae of Acronicta rumicis, the mortality of each larval stage was found to be 46.67, 90, 71 and 16.67%, respectively. The mortality was highest when G. liparidis parasitized the second and third instar larvae. The difference in mortality between the parasitized group and the control group was 72.14% in the second instar larvae. With regards to the food consumption of the parasitized larvae, the first and second instar larvae consumed 6495.58 ± 646.52 mm² (leaf surface) and 7951.12 ± 4167.36 mm², respectively, while the third and fourth larvae consumed 13 826.77 ± 3396.66 mm² and 18 599.85 mm², respectively, showing that food consumption increased with instar stages of the host larvae. The clutch size of G. liparidis increased in relation to the instar stages of the host: it was 25.25 ± 7.89, 48.65 ± 53.75, 91.09 ± 44.52 and 114 individuals when they were fed with the first, second, third and the fourth instar larvae of the host, respectively.     

Predation of Clitostethus arcuatus (Col.: Coccinellidae) on Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hem.: Aleyrodidae)

Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, is a serious pest of glasshouse crops. It shows resistance to different insecticides and growers are interested in finding other useful control methods. This research was carried out to study the predation potential and biology of Clitostethus arcuatus (Rossi) as one of the most important predators of this pest. Adult C. arcuatus were reared on tobacco leaves bearing colonies of greenhouse whitefly eggs under controlled conditions (25±2°C, 65±5% RH and 16 h L:8 h D). Results showed that the average developmental time of the egg, first through fourth instar larva and pupa were 2.82±0.12, 4.47±0.14, 4.54±0.1, 6.3±0.2, 7±0.22 and 3.8±0.13 days, respectively; and longevity of female and male were 66.4±2.6 and 54.9±2.5 days, respectively. The average feeding rates of female, male and larvae (first through fourth) were 61.4±0.7, 27.6±0.9 eggs/day and 12±1.03, 30.3±2.4, 41.3±2, 68.04±2 eggs/day, respectively. The larvae consumed an average of 992.2±36 eggs during the total larval developmental period with a daily mean of 45.8±0.5. A significant difference was shown between the feeding rate of fourth instar larval stages and between sexes. Females, males and one pair of C. arcuatus (♀,♂) consumed an average of 17.2±0.4, 10.6±0.8, 23.1±0.5 nymph/day; 28.5±0.9, 20.3±0.6, 47.2±0.6 pupa/day and 8±0.3, 6.5±0.54, 13.6±0.4 adult/day, respectively. The feeding rate was significantly different among whitefly life stages. Females laid an average of 3±0.23 eggs/day.     

Functional Response ofColeomegilla maculata(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Colorado Potato Beetle Eggs (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

A comparative study of the functional response ofColeomegilla maculataDeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fourth instars was conducted under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. In the laboratory, individual larvae were placed in 9-cm petri dishes for 24 h, with 1, 3, 5, or 7 Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata[Say]) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) egg masses. Each egg mass was standardized at 15 eggs. In the greenhouse and field,C. maculatalarvae were provided with an equivalent of 0.5 to 35L. decemlineataegg masses/m²of potato leaf. Fourth instars ofC. maculataexhibited a type II functional response toL. decemlineataeggs under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. Predator search efficiency was inversely related with prey density. The maximum mean attack rate (8.7 eggs) byC. maculatalarvae in the field was about half the mean attack rate in the laboratory (17.6 eggs) and greenhouse (20.1 eggs). The difference in prey density between the laboratory and field seems to have been a major contributing factor in determining the rate of predation, whereas differences in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and possible alternate food) may explain the differences observed in the predation rate in the greenhouse and field.     

Effect of plant nutrition on aphid size,prey consumption,and life history characteristics of green lacewing

Plant quality can directly and indirectly affect the third trophic level. The predation by all the instars of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea （S.） （Neuroptera： Chrysopidae） on the cereal aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi （L.）, and Sitobion avenae （F.） at varying nitrogen fertilizer levels was calculated under laboratory conditions. Wheat plants were grown on four nitrogen fertilizer levels and aphids were fed on these plants and subsequently offered as food to the C. carnea. Aphid densities of 10, 30, and 90 were offered to first, second, and third instar larvae of green lacewing. Increased nitrogen application improved nitrogen contents of the plants and also the body weight of cereal aphids feeding on them. Aphid consumption by green lacewings was reduced with the increase in nitrogen content in the host plants of aphids. Predation of both aphid species by first, second, and third instars larvae of C. carnea was highest on aphids reared on plants with the lowest rate of fertilization, suggesting a compensatory consumption to overcome reduced biomass （lower aphid size）. Total biomass devoured by C. carnea on all nitrogen fertilizer treatments was not statistically different. Additionally, the heavier host prey influenced by the plant nutrition had an effect on the life history characteristics of green lacewings. The larval duration, pupal weight, pupal duration, fecundity, and male and female longevity were significantly affected by the level of nitrogen fertilization to the aphid＇s host plants, except for pupal duration when fed on S. avenae. This study showed that quantity of prey supplied to the larvae affects the prey consumption and thereafter the life history characteristics of green lacewings.     

Acceptability of Drosophila suzukii as prey for common predators occurring in cherries and berries

The invasive cherry vinegar fly, Drosophila suzukii, has been identified in Europe as a destructive fruit pest since its arrival in 2008. In the present laboratory study, three predatory insects (Orius majusculus, Chrysoperla carnea, and Forficula auricularia) naturally occurring on fruit crops in Europe were investigated for their ability to attack and feed on D. suzukii within and outside fruits. The predators were provided with various D. suzukii life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) exposed or within infested cherries. The anthocorid bug O. majusculus fed on eggs and larvae, but was not able to attack pupae. Larvae of the lacewing C. carnea preyed upon D. suzukii eggs, larvae and pupae and also captured adult flies. The European earwig F. auricularia was the most voracious predator of these three tested species. Although the earwigs were not able to catch adult flies, they readily preyed upon every other developmental stage. Adult O. majusculus or third instar larvae of C. carnea significantly reduced the offspring of D. suzukii from infested cherries, when these contained the egg stage of the pest. None of the predators were able to attack early larval stages inside the cherries. But pupae that protruded from the fruit epicarp or that had pupated outside the fruit were accessible to lacewing larvae and earwigs and significantly reduced by them. Orius bugs, lacewing larvae and earwigs were able, under laboratory conditions, to capture and prey upon various life stages of the invasive pest, if not completely concealed inside the fruit. Our findings suggest that these generalist predators may have some control capacity on infested fruit in cultivated fruit crops and also in non‐crop habitats.     

Potential predation of non-webbuilding spider assemblage on cotton pests Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The relative feeding rates and preferences of a hunting-spider assemblage inhabiting southern Spanish cotton fields for two major cotton pests, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisdubal) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were analyzed under laboratory conditions. First, a no-choice feeding test was used to determine relative feeding rates for hunting-spider families and species, offering a fixed number of 10 neonate larvae of H. armigera or S. littoralis and observing predation after 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h. In a second test, Drosophila melanogaster, a very palatable alternative prey, was used to determine the degree of preference for cotton pest larvae. The mean number of first-instar lepidoptera larvae consumed by hunting spiders after 24 h was 8.57±0.25. As expected, spiders showed no preference for either of the two cotton pest species H. armigera and S. littoralis over the other. Results also showed that cursorial spiders of the families Miturigidae (represented here by Cheiracanthium pelasgicum) and Philodromidae consumed significantly higher percentages of larvae than crab spiders belonging to the Thomisidae family after 2 h and 24 h, respectively. In the prey choice test, Cheiracantium pelasgicum displayed a strong preference for cotton pest larvae while Thomisidae and Oxyopidae showed no significant preference. In addition, as the attack sequence progressed, Ch. pelasgicum showed a clear tendency towards the alternation of prey while Thomisidae, and more irregularly Oxyopidae, maintained their preference for D. melanogaster. These findings confirmed both the considerable potential value of some cursorial spiders (e.g. Ch. pelasgicum) in the biological control of lepidopteran cotton pests and the relatively low impact of other hunting spiders, e.g. Thomisidae, on pests of this kind.     

Life‐history parameters and predation capacity of Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) on eggs of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

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Ontogenetic shifts in the functional response and interference interactions of Rhyacophila dorsalis larvae (Trichoptera)

1. Ontogenetic shifts in predator behaviour can affect the assessment of food‐web structure and the development of predator–prey models. Therefore, it is important to establish if the functional response and interference interactions differ between life‐stages. These hypotheses were tested by (i) comparing the functional response of second, third, fourth and fifth larval instars of Rhyacophila dorsalis, using three stream tanks with one Rhyacophila larva per tank and one of 10 prey densities between 20 and 200 larvae of Chironomus sp.; (ii) using other experiments to assess interference within instars (two to five larvae of the same instar per tank), and between pairs of different instars (one, two or three larvae per instar; total predator densities of two, four or six larvae per tank). 2. The first hypothesis was supported. The number of prey eaten by each instar increased with prey density, the relationship being described by a type II model. The curvilinear response was stronger for fourth and fifth instars than for second and third instars. Mean handling time did not change significantly with prey density, and increased with decreasing instar number from 169 s for fifth instars to 200 s for second instars. Attack rate decreased progressively with decreasing instar number. Handling time varied considerably for each predator–prey encounter, but was normally distributed for each predator instar. Variations in attack rate and handling time were related to differences in activity between instars, fourth and fifth instars being more active and aggressive than second and third instars, and having a higher food intake. 3. The second hypothesis was partially supported. In the interference experiments between larvae of the same instar or different instars, mean handling time did not change significantly with increasing predator density, and attack rate did not change for second and third instars but decreased curvilinearly for fourth and fifth instars. Interference between some instars could not be studied because insufficient second instars were available at the same time as fourth and fifth instars, and most third instars were eaten by fourth and fifth instars in the experiments. Prey capture always decreased with decreasing attack rate. Therefore, interference reduced prey consumption in fourth and fifth instars, but not in second and third instars. The varying feeding responses of different instars should be taken into account when assessing their role in predator–prey relationships in the field.     

Influence of spinosad on immature and adult stages of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysoperla carnea</Emphasis> (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Toxicity of spinosad to immature stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and its effect on the reproduction and survival of adult stages after direct spray and ingestion treatments were evaluated. Spinosad was harmless to C. carnea eggs and pupae irrespective of concentrations or method of treatments. Direct spray of spinosad to first instar caused significant reduction in rate of pupation and L1-adult survival, but did not affect the rate of adult emergence. Third-instar bioassay revealed significant difference in L3-adult survival. When C. carnea first instars were fed upon spinosad-treated-Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), significant differences in investigated parameters were not observed among different treatments. The weight of third instar and pupae were comparable regardless of tested spinosad concentrations. Also, feeding on spinosad treated-B. brassicae had no negative impact on fecundity and fertility. Furthermore, ingestion of spinosad contaminated-B. brassicae significantly prolonged larval and larval + pupal periods. The larval feeding capacity of C. carnea did not differ significantly between larvae fed on spinosad-treated and untreated aphids with the exception of first instar. When C. carnea adults were allowed to oviposit on spinosad treated-substrate, total number of eggs laid, percent of eggs laid on the treated substrate and egg hatching did not differ from those of control. However, when adults were fed on spinosad-treated artificial diet, negative effects on adult survival and fecundity were observed.