草间钻头蛛、大草蛉和中华通草蛉对茶尺蠖、小绿叶蝉的选择效应

室内研究了草间钻头蛛Hylyphantes graminicola雌蛛对茶尺蠖Ectropis oblique1龄幼虫和小绿叶蝉Em-poesca flavescens成虫、大草蛉Chrysopa pallens和中华通草蛉Chrysoperla sinica的2龄幼虫对茶尺蠖卵、1龄幼虫的选择捕食作用。对试验数据应用Ivelev指数、Jacobs指数和Manly指数及Murdoch作图法进行了比较分析。结果显示,草间钻头蛛对茶尺蠖1龄幼虫和小绿叶蝉成虫的选择性不明显,选择性不因猎物数量的增加而转移。而大草蛉和中华通草蛉对茶尺蠖卵均有明显的正选择效应。     

草间小黑蛛对茶蚜的捕食功能反应

在实验室条件下研究了草间小黑蛛(Erigonidium graminicolum)对茶蚜(Toxoptera aurantii)的捕食作用。草间小黑蛛对茶蚜的捕食功能反应属于HollingⅡ型。草间小黑蛛有较强的种内干扰反应,随着捕食者密度的增大,草间小黑蛛的捕食率相应降低。猎物密度和天敌密度相互干扰会降低草间小黑蛛的寻找效应,但对捕食量没有影响。     

草间钻头蛛(Hylyphantes graminicola)对果蝇(Drosophila melanogaster)捕食作用的研究

在实验室条件下,研究了草间钻头蛛Hylyphantes graminicola对果蝇Drosophila melanogaster的捕食功能反应.结果表明,在一定范围内,草间钻头蛛捕食效应随猎物密度增加而增加;随自身密度增加而减小;随着蜘蛛和果蝇密度的增加,相互干扰明显,捕食效率下降;雌蛛比雄蛛捕食量大.     

石榴园棉蚜及其天敌之间的关系

采用灰色系统分析方法,分析了对主要害虫棉蚜及其天敌日捕食总量之间关联度,结果表明,棉蚜群落中与其关联度较高的天敌种类依次为肖蛸蛛(0．8607)、中华草蛉(0．8058)、八斑球腹蛛(0．7989)、异色瓢虫(0．7881)和大草蛉(0．7758),与理想天敌日捕食总量间关联度较高的天敌种类为草间小黑蛛(0.8975)、智利小绥螨(0．8132)、龟纹瓢虫(0.7806)和大草蛉(0．7669);与天敌数量间关联度较高的天敌依次为草间小黑蛛(0．8482)、中华草蛉(0．7533)、肖蛸蛛(0．7532)、八斑球腹蛛(0．7411)和大草蛉(0．7116),与理想天敌数量间关联度较高的为草间小黑蛛(0．8461)、智利小绥螨(0．7325)、龟纹瓢虫(0．6983)、大草蛉(0．6815)和中华草蛉(0．6757)．棉蚜垂直生态位和水平生态位的重迭值均>0．9567的天敌有草间小黑蛛、大草蛉和肖蛸蛛;时间生态位重迭值>0．4020的天敌有草间小黑蛛、大草蛉和肖蛸蛛,表明草间小黑蛛、大草蛉、肖蛸蛛等为棉蚜主要天敌优势种。     

转Bt棉花对蜘蛛生长发育及捕食行为的影响

室内评价了取食转Bt棉叶的棉铃虫幼虫对草间钻头蛛和八斑鞘腹蛛生长发育的影响.并通过捕食功能反应评价了取食了Bt棉叶的棉铃虫幼虫对成熟草间钻头蛛捕食行为的影响.室内饲养实验结果表明草间钻头蛛、八斑鞘腹蛛取食用转Bt棉叶处理的棉铃虫幼虫与取食普通棉叶处理的棉铃虫幼虫的发育历期、成蛛体重都没有显著差异.捕食功能反应实验结果表明草间钻头蛛对棉铃虫幼虫的捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型圆盘方程,两组不同猎物饲养成熟的草间钻头蛛对同种处理的棉铃虫幼虫的捕食行为没有显著差异.综合考虑：转Bt棉对蜘蛛生长发育、捕食能力没有显著的负作用.     

多物种共存系统中3种蜘蛛对褐飞虱的控制作用

选择稻田生态系统中天敌蜘蛛优势种食虫沟瘤蛛（Oedothorox insecticeps)、拟水狼蛛（Pirata subpiraticus)、粽管巢蛛（Clubiona japonicola)和水稻主要害虫飞虱（Nilaparvata lugenis)组成多物种共存系统,运用二次通用旋转组合设计统计方法探讨多种蜘蛛对1种稻虫的控制作用,分析天敌之间以及天敌与害虫之间的相互作用关系,得出了天敌对害虫的捕食量模型2个。对模型进行主次分析表明,害虫自身密度的大小对天敌的捕食量影响较大。天敌中对捕食量作用最大的是粽管巢蛛,其次是拟水狼蛛,食虫沟瘤蛛的作用稍小。分析天敌间的交互作用表明,天敌个体大、活动能力强、生态位窄及其重叠值高、捕食量大,它们的种内种间干扰程度也大,特别是粽管巢蛛的种内干扰、拟水狼蛛和粽管巢蛛的种间干扰作用十分明显。最后讨论了天敌蜘蛛能有效控制害虫的最大密度,以及在该害虫密度下各种天敌密度的最佳组合。     

不同龄期的大草蛉对桃蚜的捕食作用

大草蛉Chrysopa pallens（Rambur）是我国分布较广、捕食能力较强的天敌昆虫。为明确大草蛉对桃蚜Myzus percicae潜在的控制能力,在室内研究了大草蛉不同龄期幼虫和成虫对桃蚜的捕食作用,以及种内干扰对大草蛉捕食的影响。结果表明：25℃恒温条件下,大草蛉成虫和幼虫对桃蚜的捕食功能反应可拟合Holling Ⅱ圆盘方程,在24 h内大草蛉成虫、1龄幼虫、2龄幼虫和3龄幼虫对桃蚜理论最大捕食量分别为370.4头、21.5头、112.4头和217.4头。大草蛉成虫和幼虫对桃蚜的捕食量均随着猎物密度的增加而增加,当桃蚜数量增加到150头后,大草蛉成虫和幼虫捕食量的增加速度明显减缓。成虫及幼虫对桃蚜的搜寻效应随着猎物密度的增加而降低,内干扰作用随着大草蛉虫龄的增加而增强。试验结果表明大草蛉对桃蚜具有较强的控害能力,对研究桃蚜生物防治技术有重要参考价值。     

不同年份油桃园三种主要害虫与其天敌的关系

为了科学施药,合理保护和利用自然天敌进行油桃害虫的综合防治,用灰色系统分析方法、生态位分析方法和空间格局聚集强度指数分析方法,对2008年及2009年春-夏季油桃园桃蚜、小绿叶蝉和山楂叶螨与其主要捕食性天敌在数量、时间和空间格局等方面关系进行分析,两年春-夏季综合排序的结果是,桃蚜主要捕食性天敌依次是黑带食蚜蝇、异色瓢虫、三突花蟹蛛;小绿叶蝉主要捕食性天敌依次为三突花蟹蛛、锥腹肖蛸和草间小黑蛛;山楂叶螨主要捕食性天敌依次为草间小黑蛛、八斑球腹蛛和三突花蟹蛛。2008年秋季桃蚜的主要天敌依次是八斑球腹蛛、中华草蛉和锥腹肖蛸;小绿叶蝉的主要天敌依次是草间小黑蛛、锥腹肖蛸和黑带食蚜蝇;山楂叶螨的主要天敌依次为八斑球腹蛛、异色瓢虫和中华草蛉。两年春-夏季之间3种害虫及天敌数量差异均不显著。     

中华草蛉、龟纹瓢虫和异色瓢虫对B型烟粉虱的捕食功能反应

室内研究了中华草蛉Chrysopa sinicaTjeder、龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica(Thunberg)和异色瓢虫Leis axyridis(Pallas)对B型烟粉虱Bemisiatabaci(Gennadius)若虫的捕食功能反应和寻找效应。结果表明,3种天敌成虫和幼虫的捕食量均随着猎物密度的增加而上升,当猎物增加到一定水平,捕食量趋向稳定,捕食功能反应曲线符合HollingⅡ型方程。异色瓢虫、中华草蛉和龟纹瓢虫成虫和幼虫对烟粉虱若虫的捕食量差异显著,理论最大日捕食量分别为417,263,156头和625,238,108头。3种天敌对烟粉虱若虫的寻找效应随着天敌密度的增加而下降,干扰作用逐渐增强,其寻找效应表现为龟纹瓢虫(0.5656)>异色瓢虫(0.4371)>中华草蛉(0.4029),对烟粉虱的控制能力表现为异色瓢虫>龟纹瓢虫>中华草蛉。     

中华通草蛉幼虫对麦蚜捕食作用的初步研究

室内试验研究了中华通草蛉Chrysoperla sinica(Tjeder)(Neuroptera:Chrysopidae)1～3三龄幼虫对麦蚜Phopalosiphum padi(Linnaeus)的功能反应、二龄幼虫自身密度干扰作用和种内干扰效应.研究结果表明,幼虫的功能反应均属HollingⅡ型,日最大捕食蚜虫量1～3龄分别为331头、470头和767头,功能反应的参数表明中华通草蛉幼虫对麦蚜具有很大的捕食潜能.二龄幼虫自身密度干扰作用分别用Hassel&Varley的模型E=QP-m和Beddington的模型E=at/(1+btw(P-1))进行模拟,模拟模型分别为E=0.555P-0.765和E=0.515/(1+0.551(P-1)),结果表明:随着二龄幼虫密度的增大,其捕食作用率随之减少.二龄幼虫的种内干扰效应试验表明,在捕食过程中捕食者密度的增大和蚜虫数成倍增加的时候,其捕食作用率仍然显著下降.     

Predation and searching efficiency of a ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus in laboratory environment

The predation and searching efficiency of fourth instar of predatory C. septempunctata at various densities of mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) and predator was investigated under laboratory conditions. The feeding rate of predatory stage decreased at increased prey- and predator densities. Highest percent (92.80%) prey consumption was observed at initial prey density and lowest percent (40.86%) prey consumption at highest prey density by the fourth instar, though the total prey consumption increased with increase in either prey- or predator densities. Similarly, the individual prey consumption was also highest at initial predator density and lowest at highest predator density owing to the mutual interference between the predators at higher densities. The area of discovery (searching efficiency) also decreased with increase in prey- and predator densities. Handling time of predator was highest at lower prey densities, which decreased with increased prey densities. The highest percentage of prey consumption at the prey density of 50 revealed that 1:50 predator-prey ratio was the best to reduce the pest population.     

Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of a predaceous stonefly (Plecoptera: Perlodidae)

SUMMARY. 1. Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of the univoltine predatory stonefly, Kogotus nonus , was studied over 3 years in a small Alberta stream to determine whether the relative abundance of prey types in the diet of Kogotus reflected relative prey densities in the stream and whether the variation in absolute feeding rate was related to either prey or predator density.
2. The seasonal shift from sole utilization of Orthocladiinae to inclusion of Baetis in the diet could not be attributed to seasonal changes in prey density, but was probably related to predator size and ability to handle very active prey. Most of the spatial variation in diet could be related to differences in background prey densities, but very high densities of Baetis caused the predator to specialize on this prey.
3. Feeding rate on Baetis . as assessed by per capita gut contents, showed a seasonal shift from a positive correlation with Baetis density in winter to a negative relationship with predator density in spring. This suggested that feeding by small Kogotus is a function of prey density. while feeding by later instars is influenced by between predator interactions such as interference.     

Stigmaeid-phytoseiid interactions and the impact of natural enemy complexes on plant-inhabiting mites

Interactions within the natural enemy complex of plant-inhabiting mites are of practical interest. There are frequently several predatory mite species present or available for introduction and it is difficult to tell whether a single species or combination of species should provide the most effective means of biological control. We used a simulation model to examine the interactions between predatory mites of two families, the Stigmaeidae and Phytoseiidae, representatives of which feed on phytophagous apple mites. To identify key differences in predatory behavior and life history, various stigmaeid parameters were substituted with those of phytoseiids, and changes in the efficacy of either stigmaeids alone or in combination with phytoseiids were evaluated graphically. At low prey densities stigmaeids held an advantage over phytoseiids in terms of efficacy because of their higher preference for prey eggs, higher oviposition relative to prey consumption and the ability to consume their own eggs, while at high prey densities the higher maximum predation rate of phytoseiids gave them a higher efficacy. Thus the weaker predator (the stigmaeid) is the more effective competitor at low prey densities. The model did not account for dispersal, but since stigmaeids are the weaker dispersers, the possibility of developing stability in this system is much greater than if phytoseiids were the better competitors. A combination of stigmaeids and phytoseiids was shown to have greater efficacy than either predator alone over a wide range of prey densities.     

Aphid cards – Useful model for assessing predation rates or bias prone nonsense?

Predation on pest organisms is an essential ecosystem function supporting yields in modern agriculture. However, assessing predation rates is intricate, and they can rarely be linked directly to predator densities or functions. We tested whether sentinel prey aphid cards are useful tools to assess predation rates in the field. Therefore, we looked at aphid cards of different sizes on the ground level as well as within the vegetation. Additionally, by trapping ground-dwelling predators, we examined whether obtained predation rates could be linked to predator densities and traits. Predation rates recorded with aphid cards were independent of aphid card size. However, predation rates on the ground level were three times higher than within the vegetation. We found both predatory carabid activity densities as well as community weighted mean body size to be good predictors for predation rates. Predation rates obtained from aphid cards are stable over card type and related to predator assemblages. Aphid cards, therefore, are a useful, efficient method for rapidly assessing the ecosystem function predation. Their use might especially be recommended for assessments on the ground level and when time and resource limitations rule out more elaborate sentinel prey methods using exclosures with living prey animals.     

Predator impacts on stream benthic prey

The impact that predators have on benthic, macroinvertebrate prey density in streams is unclear. While some studies show a strong effect of predators on prey density, others show little or no effect. Two factors appear to influence the detection of predator impact on prey density in streams. First, many field studies have small sample sizes and thus might be unable to detect treatment effects. Second, streams contain two broad classes of predators, invertebrates and vertebrates, which might have different impacts on prey density for a variety of reasons, including availability of refuge for prey and prey emigration responses to the two types of predators. In addition, predatory vertebrates have more complex prey communities than predatory invertebrates; this complexity might reduce the impact that predatory vertebrates have on prey because of indirect effects. I conducted a meta-analysis on the results of field studies that manipulate predator density in enclosures to determine (1) if predators have a significant impact on benthic prey density in streams, (2) if the impacts that predatory invertebrates and vertebrates have differ, and (3) if predatory vertebrates have different impacts on predatory prey versus herbivorous prey. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that on average predators have a significant negative effect on prey density, predatory invertebrates have a significantly stronger impact than predatory vertebrates, and predatory vertebrates do not differ in their impact on predatory versus herbivorous invertebrate prey. Three methodological variables (mesh size of enclosures, size of enclosures, and experimental duration) were examined to determine if cross correlations exist that may explain the differences in impact between predatory invertebrates and vertebrates. No correlation exists between mesh size and predator impact. Over all predators, no correlation exists between experimental duration and predator impact; however, within predatory invertebrates a correlation does exist between these variables. Also, a correlation was found between enclosure size and predator impact. This correlation potentially explains the difference in impact between predatory invertebrates and predatory vertebrates. Results of the meta-analysis suggest two important areas for future research: (1) manipulate both types of predators within the same system, and (2) examine their impacts on the same spatial scale.     

Preference and consumption of Macrolophus pygmaeus preying on mixed instar assemblages of Myzus persicae

This study examines the effects of changes in the prey frequency and abundance on prey selection among the four instars of Myzus persicae by the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus under laboratory conditions. The central hypothesis was that M. pygmaeus will become more selective as prey density increases. It was also observed that M. pygmaeus can occasionally abandon a prey item that had already been killed (non-consumptive prey mortality). It was assumed that the frequency of this behavior would increase with the prey size and prey density. For these purposes prey selection was evaluated by simultaneously presenting all instars of M. persicae to the predator in equal proportions and at increasing densities. M. pygmaeus showed a higher predation rate and a higher preference for smaller prey instars at all prey densities. However, if the predation rate by the predator is expressed in terms of biomass consumed, then biomass gain was higher when feeding on the larger instars of M. persicae. The prey selectivity was indicated by the total prey mortality (consumptive plus non-consumptive prey mortality) as well as by the non-consumptive prey mortality, was associated with relatively high prey densities, depending on the prey instar. Therefore, we argued that the predatory impact of M. pygmaeus on the various instars of the aphid depends not only on prey traits but also on their relative abundance in a patch. Observed decreases in biomass gain from larger prey were likely the result of high prey availability at densities before saturation, which might have caused confusion in the predator’s prey selection.     

The influence of prey identity and size on selection of prey by two marine fishes

Laboratory experiments were conducted with two predatory fishes, Lagodon rhomboides (Linnaeus) and Syngnathus floridae (Jordan & Gilbert), to determine if prey selection was a result of predator preference or prey accessibility. Prey consisted of two species of caridean shrimp, Tozeuma carolinense (Kingsley) and Hippolyte zostericola (Smith), that commonly inhabit seagrass meadows. Natural diets of both predators revealed that selection ofTozeuma and Hippolyte was not related to their field densities. My experiments demonstrated that natural prey selection was a consequence of prey accessibility, not predator preference. Experiments examining the role of prey size in predator preference revealed that large individuals were significantly preferred over small individuals. Observations of prey behavior indicated that prey motion affected predator choice. These results suggest that predator preference was primarily determined by prey visibility and that the combined effects of prey size and motion contributed to the visibility of these prey.     

Life-history trade-off in two predator species sharing the same prey: a study on cassava-inhabiting mites

In cassava fields, two species of predatory mites, Typhlodromalus aripo and T. manihoti, co-occur at the plant level and feed on Mononychellus tanajoa , a herbivorous mite. The two predator species are spatially segregated within the plant: T. manihoti dwells on the middle leaves, while T. aripo occurs in the apices of the plant during the day and moves to the first leaves below the apex at night.
To monitor the prey densities experienced by the two predator species in their micro-environment, we assessed prey and predator populations in apices and on the leaves of cassava plants in the field. Prey densities peaked from November to January and reached the lowest levels in July. They were higher on leaves than in the apices. To test whether the life histories of the two predator species are tuned to the prey density they experience, we measured age-specific fecundity and survival of the two predators under three prey density regimes (1 prey female/72 h, 1 prey female/24 h and above the predators level of satiation). T. manihoti had a higher growth rate than T. aripo at high prey densities, mainly due to its higher fecundity. T. aripo had a higher growth rate at low prey density regimes, due to its late fecundity and survival. Thus, each of the two species perform better under the prey density that characterizes their micro-habitat within the plant.     

Is there safety‐in‐numbers for prey?

The abundance of prey affects the rate of predation, but little consensus exists on whether this enhances or reduces per capita mortality. Studies of aggregating prey in marine habitats generally emphasise that the probability of predation of any individual is the reciprocal of the number of prey within a school. A field experiment tested the alternative hypotheses that predation by predatory fish on schooling prey (1) increased with an increase in the number of prey per school and that this caused (2) survival to be lower in schools with more individuals. The number of prey (juvenile Acanthochromis polyacanthus ) per school was manipulated in replicate treatments with natural densities of large predatory fish (open plots) and treatments without large predatory fish (exclusion cages). Large predatory fish preyed on juveniles in a density-dependent manner and this was the key source of density-dependent mortality in plots open to all predators. There was some suggestion that small predatory fish also prey on juveniles in a density-dependent manner, but this was weak and did not translate into density-dependent mortality of juveniles. It would appear that aggregation of prey may be a successful strategy against predation from some predators, but not always every predator, or all predators in combination.     

Effect of cannibalism on predation,oviposition and longevity of the predacious mite,Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae)

Cannibalism (intraspecific predation) on conspecific eggs was investigated in the predatory stigmaeid mite, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez in the absence of eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch (no-choice tests) and presence of three densities of prey eggs simultaneously (choice tests) in the laboratory. Data show that cannibalism occurs in immatures and adult females of the predator, which successfully developed and reproduced on conspecific eggs as an alternative prey in the absence of prey eggs. In no-choice tests, cannibalism rate on conspecific eggs by A. exsertus stages was significantly lower than the predation rate on T. urticae eggs. The predatory mite exhibited a marked decline in oviposition rate when preyed on conspecific eggs compared with feeding on prey eggs. The developmental duration and longevity of A. exsertus females were significantly longer 1.9 and 1.7 times, respectively, when fed on conspecific eggs than feeding on T. urticae eggs. The propensity of the predator towards cannibalism depends on the prey density, when T. urticae eggs and conspecific eggs are present simultaneously. Provision of increased densities of prey eggs significantly decreased cannibalism and predation by A. exsertus stages, which fed generally less on conspecific eggs than on T. urticae eggs in choice tests. The oviposition rate of the predator increased significantly, as the egg density of the prey increased. The developmental period and longevity of A. exsertus females showed significantly gradual shortness with increasing egg density of the prey.