七星瓢虫成虫对枸杞木虱的捕食作用

为了测定七星瓢虫成虫对枸杞木虱4种虫态的捕食作用,分别在室内测定七星瓢虫的捕食功能反应、种内干扰、自身密度干扰、捕食偏好性以及在田间七星瓢虫对枸杞木虱的捕食效果.结果表明: 七星瓢虫对枸杞木虱的捕食功能反应符合Holling Ⅱ型方程,其中对卵的最大捕食量为112.6粒,对1～2龄若虫、3～5龄若虫、成虫的最大捕食量分别为536、415和113.9头;田间罩笼试验结果证明,七星瓢虫成虫在其生长周期30 d内能使枸杞木虱总虫口密度下降80.1%;七星瓢虫对1～2龄枸杞木虱若虫的搜寻效率参数a=0.9451,处理时间参数T_h=0.001865,整体优于卵、3～5龄若虫与成虫,且在每皿100头的猎物密度下七星瓢虫的最大捕食率能达80.2%,益害比参考值为1∶100.七星瓢虫对枸杞木虱的捕食作用受自身密度的影响显著大于种内干扰.在混合猎物密度为每皿100头下,七星瓢虫更偏好木虱成虫,在密度为每皿300头下,七星瓢虫更偏向于木虱若虫.表明七星瓢虫是很有控制潜力的捕食性天敌,人工释放七星瓢虫成虫可有效取食枸杞木虱初孵若虫,降低木虱为害.     

七星瓢虫对两种麦蚜控制作用的模拟研究

应用二次回归旋转组合设计方法研究了七星瓢虫成虫、幼虫与两种麦蚜共存系统中瓢虫对麦长管蚜和禾谷缢管蚜的捕食量模型.结果表明七星瓢虫对两种麦蚜的捕食量随着瓢虫密度的增加而减少,随着该种麦蚜密度的增加而增加,且七星瓢虫无选择性.七星瓢虫不同个体间的干扰作用对其捕食麦长管蚜数量有显著影响,两种麦蚜数交互作用对七星瓢虫捕食禾谷缢管蚜数量影响显著.该模型可用来预测田间蚜虫的变化,指导麦田蚜虫防治.     

双七瓢虫对蚜虫捕食作用

【目的】研究双七瓢虫Coccinula quatuordecimpustulata(Linnaeus)对蚜虫的捕食习性,为其保护利用提供依据。【方法】采用13种蚜虫分别饲喂双七瓢虫1~4龄幼虫及成虫,观察记录24 h的捕食数量;选取大豆蚜Aphis glycines Matsumura、豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum(Harris)和白杨毛蚜Chaitophrus populeti(Panzer)分别对双七瓢虫进行饲养,记录瓢虫发育历期。【结果】双七瓢虫对供试的13种蚜虫捕食数量存在显著差异,其嗜食程度依照对蚜虫的日捕食生物量依次为:大豆蚜、菊小长管蚜Macrosiphoniella sanborni(Gillette)、月季长管蚜Sitobion rosivorum(Zhang)、豌豆蚜、甘蓝蚜Brevicoryne brassicae(Linnaeus)等;用大豆蚜和豌豆蚜饲养,双七瓢虫各虫态发育历期较短,用白杨毛蚜饲养则发育历期较长,3种蚜虫饲养的双七瓢虫,蛹均能正常羽化。【结论】双七瓢虫对供试蚜虫均有捕食行为,但捕食量存在明显差异;不同蚜虫对双七瓢虫的发育历期具有一定影响。     

转Bt基因棉花对烟粉虱天敌昆虫龟纹瓢虫的影响

在实验室控制条件下,以转Bt基因棉花GK12、33B、SGK321上的烟粉虱为食料饲养龟纹瓢虫,研究转Bt基因棉花上的烟粉虱对龟纹瓢虫生长发育及捕食的影响,同时利用Y型嗅觉仪,观察龟纹瓢虫对来自不同类型棉花的棉叶及其烟粉虱的嗅觉反应和视觉反应。结果表明,转Bt基因棉花和对应的常规棉亲本上的烟粉虱对龟纹瓢虫的发育历期和存活率没有明显的影响。龟纹瓢虫对棉花叶片、烟粉虱若虫、蜜露、蜕等4种物质的视觉反应之间没有明显的差异。对4种嗅源物质的嗅觉选择性的大小依次为：烟粉虱若虫＞蜕＞棉花＞蜜露;在两类不同的棉花之间,转基因棉花和常规棉,龟纹瓢虫对GK12、33B、SGK321等三种转基因棉花上的烟粉虱若虫的嗅觉选择性明显较对应的常规棉亲本SM3、33、SY321上的烟粉虱若虫小;对烟粉虱若虫的蜕,两种转单价基因棉花GK12、33B较对应的常规棉亲本上的小,而转双价基因的棉花SGK321上与对应的常规棉之间没有明显的差异。烟粉虱密度大于200头.皿_-1时,龟纹瓢虫捕食转基因棉花上烟粉虱的数量大于对应的常规棉花亲本,但烟粉虱密度小于200头.皿_-1时,龟纹瓢虫捕食转基因棉花上烟粉虱的数量小于对应的常规棉花亲本。龟纹瓢虫对烟粉虱的捕食符合HollingⅡ型反应。龟纹瓢虫取食转基因棉花上的烟粉虱的理论极限值、瞬间攻击率均大于常规棉花。     

不同虫态及虫龄大草蛉与七星瓢虫之间的集团内互作

【目的】为明确新疆棉田棉蚜 Aphis gossypii 捕食性天敌之间的集团内捕食效应及其对蚜虫数量的控制作用。【方法】本研究以优势天敌昆虫大草蛉 Chrysopa pallens 和七星瓢虫 Coccinella septempunctata 为对象,以棉蚜为猎物,在温室中利用盆栽棉花,首先观察了2种天敌昆虫之间各虫态及虫龄配对的19个处理在无蚜植株上共存24 h后的存活数,然后观察了2种天敌昆虫配对处理下棉苗上棉蚜数量随时间的变化趋势。【结果】在无蚜棉株上2种捕食性天敌昆虫共存24 h后的存活结果表明：（1）在发育阶段相同的配对组合中,若是成虫则均存活,若是１龄幼虫则大草蛉存活较多,若是末龄幼虫则七星瓢虫存活较多;（2）在有卵的组配中,除七星瓢虫卵不被大草蛉成虫所捕食外,其他5个组配处理中卵均被捕食;（3）在有蛹的配对组合中,除七星瓢虫蛹被大草蛉末龄幼虫捕食外,其他处理下蛹均不被捕食;（4）在成虫与幼虫的配对组合中,七星瓢虫成虫捕食较多的大草蛉1龄幼虫,但不捕食大草蛉末龄幼虫,而大草蛉成虫与七星瓢虫1龄或末龄幼虫之间不发生捕食;(5）在不同龄期幼虫的配对组合中,大草蛉末龄幼虫捕食七星瓢虫1龄幼虫,而七星瓢虫末龄幼虫捕食大草蛉1龄幼虫。在有蚜植株上2种捕食性天敌共存对棉蚜数量具有不同的控制作用：（1）2种捕食昆虫的幼虫各自单独存在（对照）下,蚜虫密度随时间而降低;（2）大草蛉幼虫与七星瓢虫幼虫或成虫配对处理下,棉蚜密度随时间而增大;（3）大草蛉成虫与七星瓢虫幼虫或成虫配对处理下,棉蚜密度随时间而减小。【结论】研究结果说明,大草蛉与七星瓢虫之间存在集团内捕食,但２种天敌共存对棉蚜的控制作用取决于大草蛉虫态, 若大草蛉为幼虫,可使蚜虫密度增大,若为成虫,则使蚜虫密度减小。     

长期冷藏对越冬代异色瓢虫繁殖及子代生长发育和捕食能力的影响

异色瓢虫被认为是一种重要的捕食性天敌,常被用来防治蚜虫、介壳虫、叶螨等害虫。为了更好地开发利用东北地区丰富的越冬代异色瓢虫自然资源,本研究调查了低温冷藏(3℃冷藏0,30,60,90,120,150 d)对吉林采集的越冬代异色瓢虫繁殖及其子代生长发育和捕食能力的影响。研究结果表明,经历90 d冷藏的瓢虫产卵量最大,明显高于冷藏60 d个体的产卵量,与冷藏120 d、150 d及未经冷藏个体的产卵量不存在明显差异;经历不同冷藏期的瓢虫与室内人工饲养种群子代具有相似发育历期(约16.0 d);而且长期冷藏也未对瓢虫子代幼期的捕食能力产生负面影响,冷藏150 d瓢虫的子代在整个幼虫阶段能捕食662.8头蚜虫,与未冷藏个体和人工饲养种群个体不存在明显差异。本研究为开发利用东北地区越冬代异色瓢虫自然资源的生物防治作用提供了理论依据。     

多异瓢虫成虫对枸杞木虱的捕食作用

【目的】为了测定多异瓢虫Hippodamia variegata(Goeze)成虫对枸杞木虱Paratrioza sinica Yang&Li的捕食作用。【方法】在室内测定了多异瓢虫的捕食功能反应、种内干扰、自身密度干扰、捕食偏好性,并通过罩笼试验研究多异瓢虫在田间对枸杞木虱的捕食效果。【结果】结果表明,多异瓢虫对枸杞木虱的捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型方程,对卵、1~2龄若虫、3~5龄若虫以及成虫的最大捕食量分别为80.4粒、410.0头、350.8头和102.5头。田间罩笼试验结果证明,在多异瓢虫成虫生长周期30 d内能使枸杞木虱总虫口密度下降85.4%;多异瓢虫对枸杞木虱成虫的搜寻效率a=0.8252为4种木虱虫态最佳,而对枸杞木虱卵处理时间Th=0.002283为4种木虱虫态中最佳;在100头/皿的猎物密度下多异瓢虫均能展现其最大捕食率,益害比参考值为1∶100。多异瓢虫对枸杞木虱的捕食作用受自身密度的影响显著大于种内干扰;在100头/皿混合猎物密度下,多异瓢虫更偏好木虱成虫,在300头/皿下,多异瓢虫更偏向于木虱若虫。【结论】研究表明,多异瓢虫是具有控制潜力的捕食性天敌,人工释放多异瓢虫成虫可有效防治枸杞木虱。     

七星瓢虫对麦长管蚜,禾谷缢管蚜捕食选择性研究

本文报导了七星瓢虫对两种猎物捕食选择性研究成果,这对以瓢治蚜工作提供了理论依据。主要结果为:1.七星瓢虫对麦长管蚜有明显的正喜好性,对禾谷缢管蚜有明显的负喜好性。2.瓢虫对两种蚜虫的喜好性与麦长管蚜密度呈显著负相关,与禾谷缢管蚜密度呈正相关。3.当两种猎物共存时,瓢虫对每种猎物的功能反应有所变化。两猎物总密度增加,瓢虫对每种猎物的功能反应越来越趋向Hollink Ⅲ型,一种猎物密度恒定,另一种猎物密度变化时,瓢虫对猎物的功能反应趋向Holling Ⅲ型。而且随猎物恒定的密度增加,HoUing Ⅲ型典型性增加。4.麦长管蚜和禾谷缢管蚜密度增加均降低瓢虫的捕食作用率。但是,禾谷缢管蚜所引起捕食作用率更为严重的减少。     

异色瓢虫对设施栽培桃树桃蚜的捕食功能反应研究

为明确异色瓢虫对设施栽培桃树上桃蚜的自然控制力,在室内研究了异色瓢虫成虫自身密度和不同蚜虫密度对捕食功能的影响。结果表明,异色瓢虫对桃蚜的捕食功能反应符合Holling-Ⅱ圆盘方程,其拟合模型为Na=0.898Nt/(1+0.0045Nt),每头异色瓢虫在1 d内对桃蚜的最大捕食量为200头,捕食每头桃蚜的处置时间Th=0.005d。异色瓢虫自身密度对桃蚜捕食作用有一定制约,拟合Watt竞争模型方程为A=86.441P-0.6592。     

七星瓢虫成虫对绣线菊蚜捕食作用的室内测试

在实验室内测定了七星瓢虫成虫对苹果绣线菊蚜的捕食作用,结果表明,七星瓢虫成虫对绣线菊蚜密度的功能反应可用Holing-Ⅱ型圆盘方程较好地拟合,捕食作用在一定范围内随猎物密度的增加而加大;七星瓢虫成虫对绣线菊蚜的捕食作用率随着自身密度增加而减小,相互之间存在一定的干扰,自身密度的功能反应能用Hassell数学模型较好地反映。     

Does nitrogen limitation promote intraguild predation in an aphidophagous ladybird?

Reciprocal intraguild predation occurs between the two aphidophagous ladybird beetles Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). However, its direction is asymmetrical; H. axyridis generally acts as an intraguild predator, and C. septempunctata as an intraguild prey. According to Denno and Fagan's prediction that nitrogen shortages in predators may promote intraguild predation, it was hypothesized that growth of intraguild predator H. axyridis is more limited by nitrogen than that of intraguild prey C. septempunctata, and that H. axyridis growth is enhanced by feeding on C. septempunctata compared to feeding on aphids. To determine nitrogen‐limited growth in H. axyridis, the following two predictions were examined. First, it was predicted that the nitrogen content of H. axyridis would be higher than that of C. septempunctata when both feed on aphids. However, nitrogen content did not differ between the two ladybirds. Second, it was predicted that nitrogen‐use efficiency of H. axyridis would be lower than that of C. septempunctata. However, there was no significant difference between species. These results did not support the hypothesis that growth of H. axyridis is more limited by nitrogen than that of C. septempunctata. In addition, the present study showed that dry mass and nitrogen growth of H. axyridis were not enhanced, but rather decreased, by eating high‐nitrogen C. septempunctata, compared to eating low‐nitrogen aphids. Overall, the present study did not support the hypothesis that nitrogen shortages in predators may promote intraguild predation.     

Interspecific interactions in a tri-trophic arthropod system: effects of a spider on the survival of larvae of three predatory ladybirds in relation to aphids

The effects of the crab spider, Misumenops tricuspidatus (Fabricius), on the larval survival of three ladybird species, Harmonia axyridis Pallas, Coccinella septempunctata L., and Propylea japonica L., in relation to aphids were investigated in the laboratory. Predation by the spider on the three ladybird species differed. All the larvae of C. septempunctata, none of H. axyridis, and an intermediate number of P. japonica were attacked and eaten by the spider. All the larvae of H. axyridis suffered mortality due to cannibalism or starvation in the treatments with and without a spider. In case of C. septempunctata, however, mortality in the early instars was significantly greater in the treatment with a spider than without a spider and no larvae developed into pupae due to predation. In the treatment without a spider, the majority of the larvae in the former treatment suffered mortality due to cannibalism or starvation, and only 13.3% of larvae developed into the adult stage. In the case of P. japonica, mortality was mainly attributed to predation in the treatment with a spider and only 26.7% became adult. In comparison, 86.7% of larvae survived to the adult stage in the treatment without a spider. In addition, in both H. axyridis and C. septempunctata, the development of young larvae was significantly slower in the presence of a spider, but this was not the case with the older larvae of H. axyridis, which indicates that the effect of the spider on larval development changed with the developmental stage of the larvae in this species. However, the spider had no significant effect on the developmental time of P. japonica larvae. Although both the spider and the ladybirds significantly affected the number of aphids, they did not have an additive effect on aphid abundance. The interactions between the spider and the ladybirds, such as intraguild predation or competition, caused them to reduce aphid population density less than the ladybirds did on their own. The effect of the spider on the larval performance of three predatory ladybirds was found to be unequal in terms of their vulnerability to predation and rate of larval development and it depended on the species and developmental stage of the ladybird.     

Cannibalism and interspecific predation in two predatory ladybirds in relation to prey abundance in the field

Life tables for two predatory ladybirds,Coccinella septempunctata andHarmonia axyridis, were constructed in two years in which prey abundance differed. The prey aphid,Aphis gossypii, was abundant on its primary host from late May to late June. Females ofH. axyridis andC. septempumctata laid their eggs during the increase and peak in aphid abundance. The oviposition period ofC. septempunctata started before and was shorter than that ofH. axyridis. In both species, intraguild predation and/or cannibalism of the egg and fourth instar stages, but rarely of other developmental stages, were observed. Fourth instar larvae ofH. axyridis had to complete their development when aphids were scarce more frequently than those ofC. septempunctata. The highest frequency of intra- and interspecific predation was of fourth instarH. axyridis larvae. In terms of intraguild predation, the larvae ofH. axyridis preyed on larvae ofC. septempunctata, but the reverse was not observed. Percentage survival from egg to adult inH. axyridis was higher than inC. septempunctata in both years, and least in both species in the year of low aphid abundance. These results suggest that prey abundance influenced the frequency of cannibalism and intraguild predation, which were important in structuring this guild of ladybirds.     

Essential versus alternative foods of insect predators: benefits of a mixed diet

Although many predatory insects appear to be opportunistic generalists in their selection of prey, only a subset of prey species may in fact serve as “essential foods” capable of supporting immature growth and adult reproduction. It has been suggested that other, “alternative foods” serve only to maintain the predator when essential foods are not available, but little research has evaluated the significance of a mixed diet of essential and alternative foods for predator growth or reproduction. Here we test the general hypothesis that although alternative prey may be inadequate to support reproduction when consumed alone by adult predators, consumption of such prey may enhance the predator's reproductive output when the predator also has access to essential prey. We compared egg production by two aphidophagous lady beetles, Coccinella septempunctata and C. transversoguttata, provided with diets of aphids (essential prey) and weevils (alternative prey). As predicted, female predators produced greater numbers of eggs when a diet of pea aphids in limited number was supplemented by alfalfa weevil larvae. The predators laid no eggs when provided only with weevils or only with sugar. But once aphids were added to the diet, females of C. transversoguttata (but not C. septempunctata) laid eggs in greater numbers when they had fed previously on weevils than on sugar. Females of both species also produced eggs in modest numbers when provided with both weevils in excess and sugar, but this diet supported a lower rate of egg production than did a diet of weevils in excess plus a limited number of aphids. Although C. septempunctata has a longer history of association with the alfalfa weevil than does C. transversoguttata, the former species was not more effective in exploiting this alternative prey in support of reproduction. The tendency of generalist predators such as adult lady beetles to consume alternative as well as essential prey probably enhances considerably their ability to capitalize on short-lived and scattered opportunities as they seek out suitable sites in which to reproduce. Received: 11 May 1998 / Accepted: 1 May 1999     

Effect of temperature on development, growth and feeding of Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia convergens reared on the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae

Preimaginal development, mortality, aphid consumption rate, and size and weight upon reaching the adult stage of the aphidophagous coccinellids Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville and Coccinella septempunctata L. collected from Karditsa, central Greece, were examined at four constant temperatures (14, 17, 20 and 23 °C) and L16:D8. The coccinellids fed on the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae Blackman. Egg, larval and pupal mortality was highest at 14 °C reaching 85.0, 73.8 and 29.4% in H. convergens and 49.3, 75.4 and 58.8% in C. septempunctata, respectively. Total preimaginal development ranged from 57.2 to 70.4 days at 14 °C, and to 16.9 and 22.1 days at 23 °C in H. convergens and C. septempunctata, respectively. Heavier and larger adults of H. convergens were obtained at 17 and 20 ° C. In C. septempunctata temperature did not affect adult weight while the lowest size was observed at 14 and 17 °C. Day-degrees requirements for preimaginal development in H. corvengens were 212.9 above a developmental threshold of 11.0 °C. The corresponding values for C. septempunctata were 281.5 and 10.7 °C. In H. convergens total and daily aphid consumption ranged from 46.8 aphids at 14 °C to 85.0 aphids at 23 °C and from 1.5 aphids at 14 °C to 9.2 aphids at 23 °C, respectively. The corresponding values for C. septempunctata were 112.0 and 2.7 at 14 °C and 157.7 and 12.4 at 23 °C. The results show the high potential of both predators as biological control agents against the tobacco aphid. The knowledge obtained could be essential for their appropriate use and for the improvement of mass rearing systems.     

多异瓢虫与七星瓢虫、大草蛉不同虫态间的集团内捕食

多异瓢虫、七星瓢虫和大草蛉是控制蚜虫重要的广谱捕食性天敌昆虫,为明确这些昆虫间的集团内捕食效应与个体发育阶段的关系,观察了多异瓢虫与七星瓢虫、大草蛉各虫态(蛹除外)之间的集团内捕食效应。设置30个虫态(虫龄)组合处理,于温室盆栽棉花(无蚜虫)上接种等量的试虫,观察24 h后的存活数量。结果表明,当参与双方的虫态不同时,晚期虫态的存活数量显著大于早期虫态;当参与双方的幼虫龄期不同时,高龄幼虫的存活数量显著大于低龄幼虫;成虫对卵、1龄和4龄幼虫的捕食程度随虫龄增大而呈抛物线增大,存在显著的二次函数关系。当参与双方的虫态(龄)相同时,多异瓢虫成虫的存活数量显著小于七星瓢虫,但大于大草蛉成虫;多异瓢虫幼虫(1龄和4龄)的存活数量显著小于大草蛉,而与七星瓢虫没有显著差异。研究结果说明,在没有集团外猎物(蚜虫)存在的情况下,多异瓢虫与七星瓢虫、大草蛉之间的集团内捕食效应只在参与者的虫态或虫龄不同时取决于发育阶段,而当参与者虫态或虫龄相同时,还取决于其他因素。     

Laboratory study of cannibalism and interspecific predation in ladybirds

Abstract.

• 1 In the absence of aphids, adult females of Adalia bipunctata (L.) showed a greater reluctance to eat eggs than males.
• 2 Eggs and young larvae were more vulnerable to cannibalism than older larvae and starved larvae were more vulnerable than well-fed larvae.
• 3 Both egg and larval cannibalism is inversely related to the abundance of aphids.
• 4 Eggs are a better food, in terms of larval growth and survival, than aphids.
• 5 In the absence of aphids interspecific predation occurred, but not equally, between the coccinellids A.bipunctata, A.decempunctata (L.), Coccinella septempunctata L. and C.undecempunctata L.
• 6 Larvae and adults of A. bipunctata and C.septempunctata were reluctant to eat conspecific eggs painted with a water extract of the other species' eggs and larvae of C. septempunctata were more likely to die after eating a few eggs of A.bipunctata than vice versa.
• 7 These results indicate that cannibalism occurs mainly when aphid prey is scarce and is adaptive in that it improves the chances of survival, and coccinellids, to varying degrees, are defended against interspecific predation.

     

Environmental factors affecting the behavior of Coenosia attenuata,a predator of Trialeurodes vaporariorum in tomato greenhouses

Adults of the predatory fly Coenosia attenuata Stein (Diptera: Muscidae) catch their prey while in flight. I investigated this activity over two seasons in a tomato greenhouse naturally infested with Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). The flight of C. attenuata individuals was affected by environmental factors and was increased in response to increases in temperature, the number of prey flights, and conspecific density. Predator and prey flights were distributed throughout the day, but there was a regular daily trend, each with two partially overlapping activity peaks. The possibility of predation was limited by differences in daily flight‐activity times. Predatory flights comprised a small percentage (ca. 6%) of the total flights, with a predation success rate of 61%. Overall, the predatory activity of C. attenuata depended on the selection of hunting sites with good visibility to ensure a clear view before take‐off and allow the capture of prey in flight. Similar numbers of overall flights were made by both sexes, but C. attenuata females performed more predation flights and territorial defense activities than males. The ecological role of C. attenuata and its limited adaptability to greenhouses is discussed in light of its possible use in biological control of whiteflies.     

Two common invertebrate predators show varying predation responses to different types of sentinel prey

Sentinel prey (an artificially manipulated patch of prey) are widely used to assess the level of predation provided by natural enemies in agricultural systems. Whilst a number of different methodologies are currently in use, little is known about how arthropod predators respond to artificially manipulated sentinel prey in comparison with predation on free‐living prey populations. We assessed how attack rates on immobilized (aphids stuck to cards) and artificial (plasticine lepidopteran larvae mimics) sentinel prey differed to predation on free‐moving live prey (aphids). Predation was assessed in response to density of the common invertebrate predators, a foliar‐active ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and a ground‐active beetle Pterostichus madidus (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Significant increases in attack rates were found for the immobilized and artificial prey between the low and high predator density treatments. However, an increased predator density did not significantly reduce numbers of free‐living live aphids included in the mesocosms in addition to the alternate prey. We also found no signs of predation on the artificial prey by the predator H. axyridis. These findings suggest that if our assessment of predation had been based solely on the foliar artificial prey, then no increase in predation would have been found in response to increased predator density. Our results demonstrate that predators differentially respond to sentinel prey items which could affect the level of predation recorded where target pest species are not being used.     

Intraguild Predation among the Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus de Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Other Aphidophagous Predators

Aphidophagous predators compete for the same prey species. During their foraging activity they frequently encounter heterospecific aphid predators. These situations can lead to intraguild predation and may disrupt biological control efforts against aphids where more than one predator species is present. We investigated the behavior of larvae of the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus de Geer and its interaction with three other aphid predators: the ladybird Coccinella septempunctata L., the lacewing Chrysoperla carnea Stephens, and the gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani). Interspecific interactions between predators were examined in arenas of different sizes and in the presence of extraguild prey. The outcome of interactions between E. balteatus larvae and the other predators depended predominantly on the relative body size of the competitors. Relatively large individuals acted as intraguild predators, while relatively smaller individuals became intraguild prey. Eggs and first- as well as second-instar larvae of E. balteatus were highly susceptible to predation by all other predators, whereas pupae of E. balteatus were preyed upon only by the larvae of C. carnea. Interactions between A. aphidimyza and E. balteatus were asymmetric and always favored the latter. Eggs and first- as well as second-instar larvae of E. balteatus sustained intraguild predation irrespective of the size of the arena or the presence of extraguild prey. However, the frequency of predation on third-instar larvae of E. balteatus was significantly reduced. This study indicated that the same species can be both intraguild predator and intraguild prey. It is suggested that combinations of predators must be carefully chosen for success in biological control of aphids.