Does the satiation hypothesis account for the differences in efficacy of coccidophagous and aphidophagous ladybird beetles in biological control? A test with Adalia bipunctata and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

Mills (1982) formulated the satiationhypothesis in order to explain why ladybirdsare generally more effective in the biologicalcontrol of coccids than of aphids:aphidophagous ladybirds are supposedly lessefficient because they become more rapidlysatiated than coccidophagous ladybirds. If thisis true, the former should spend less timeeating than the latter. This hypothesis istested in this study using the coccidophagousCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and theaphidophagous Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Contrary to Mills'(1982) prediction the coccidophagous ladybirddid not feed continuously and even spent lesstime feeding than the aphidophagous ladybird.Furthermore, the gut capacity of C. montrouzieri is smaller than that of A. bipunctata.     

Chemical cues produced by conspecific larvae deter oviposition by the coccidophagous ladybird beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

Experimental evidence shows that oviposition in Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is deterred by the presence of conspecific larvae. A similar deterrent effect is also recorded when females are tested in an experimental set up that previously housed conspecific larvae. It is shown that an oviposition-deterring pheromone is associated with the abundant wax filaments produced by the larvae of C. montrouzieri.     

孟氏隐唇瓢虫生殖系统结构和卵子发生的研究

【目的】孟氏隐唇瓢虫Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant生殖系统结构和卵细胞发生将为昆虫的系统进化关系及瓢虫分类提供依据,同时可作为瓢虫人工饲料研究开发的参考。【方法】利用组织石蜡切片技术和光学显微镜,观察孟氏隐唇瓢虫生殖系统结构,以及自成虫羽化后不同发育阶段卵巢发育状况和成熟卵巢管卵子发生过程。【结果】孟氏隐唇瓢虫雄性生殖系统包括2对附腺、1对精巢、1对输精管、1对贮精囊、射精管、弯管和阳基。雌性生殖系统包括2片生殖板、生殖腔、受精囊、中输卵管、1对侧输卵管和1对卵巢。单侧卵巢管数量在11~14根之间,卵巢管端部延伸出细长的端丝。卵巢管属于端滋式,分为原卵区和生长区。滋养细胞分散且细胞核几乎充满整个细胞,未见合胞体。卵细胞稀疏地集中在原卵区下端,并且可见营养索向卵巢管顶端延伸。根据卵细胞位置和形态,卵黄积累情况,滤泡细胞形态变化,将卵细胞发生分为前期,中期,中后期和后期。卵细胞发育后期,营养索消失,滤泡细胞排列疏松,细胞间隙增大。【结论】孟氏隐唇瓢虫卵巢管的滋养细胞是端滋式卵巢管滋养细胞中的原始类型,且推测瓢虫科昆虫卵巢管滋养细胞均属于此类。卵细胞早期发育过程中,卵细胞通过营养索从滋养细胞获取营养物质。     

Oviposition in Cryptolaemus montrouzieri stimulated by wax filaments of its prey

The oviposition responses of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to the soft scale Eupulvinaria hydrangeae (Steinweden) (Homoptera: Coccidae) and to the mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) have been compared in the laboratory. The females delay oviposition and withhold mature eggs in their lateral oviducts in the absence of wax filaments produced by the prey (only present in the ovisac of E. hydrangeae, present in all stages of P. citri). Contact chemical cues perceived by females when probing the wax filaments with their mouthparts are the signals inducing the search for oviposition sites. The second step is under the control of the ovipositor by which females locate confined sites to lay eggs. This oviposition behaviour could have a considerable impact on the prey exploitation strategy of this important biocontrol agent and might help to understand its apparent ineffectiveness in situations of low prey density.     

First study of the biology of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and its potential to feed on the mealybug Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) under laboratory conditions in Morocco

Abstract

Dactylopius opuntiae, is known as specific Opuntia cochineal in many countries around the world. This sap-sucking insect was first detected in Morocco in 2014. To address the problem, the feeding potential of different development stages of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, a biological control agent against mealybugs, was investigated on different development stages of D. opuntiae. Fourth instar larvae and adults of C. montrouzieri were the most voracious feeders on different instars of the mealybug. The numbers of mealybug eggs consumed by first, second, third and fourth instar larva and adults of C. montrouzieri were 36.18?±?1.84, 68.08?±?4.17, 280.55?±?5.41, 540.55?±?5.35, 6514.13?±?64.28, respectively. The numbers of mealybug nymphs consumed by the same stages of C. montrouzieri were 35.43?±?1.75, 67.73?±?3.88, 279.85?±?5.58, 539.63?±?5.08 and 6501.7?±?81.94 (first instars) and 34.83?±?1.20, 57.45?±?1.22, 83.80?±?1.92, 213.65?±?3.46 and 6013.23?±?35.46 (second instars), respectively. The corresponding figures for adult female mealybugs were 1.40?±?0.78, 10.65?±?1.83, 18.58?±?1.24, 25.23?±?1.10 and 197.15?±?3.29, respectively. The egg, larval, prepupal, pupal and adult stages occupied 3.36–3.69, 20.21–27.59, 1.31–1.59, 10.62–10.72 and 96.10–102.51?days, respectively when the coccinellid was reared on different stages of D. opuntiae. The results indicate that C. montrouzieri has the potential to be used as a biocontrol agent in Morocco.     

Role of Coccophagus sp. in the suppression of the soft green scale Coccus viridis (Green) (Hompoptera: Coccidae) on sapota

The soft green scale Coccus viridis (Green) (Homoptera: Coccidae) has become a major pest of sapota, Manilkara achras (Mill.) Forberg in India. A field study was conducted on the population dynamics of soft green scale Coccus viridis (Green) for 2 years (2004–2006) on sapota at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) farm, Bangalore, India. The population of green scale declined from 30.72 per leaf in May 2004 to 1.62 per leaf in March 2006. Two coccinellid predators Chilocorus nigrita (Fab.) and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Muls.) and one aphelinid parasitoid Coccophagus sp. were recorded on C. viridis. Both the predators played a minor role in the population fluctuation of C. viridis. The parasitoid Coccophagus sp. was the dominant natural enemy observed throughout the study recording a mean of 10.24–94.67% parasitism. A significant positive correlation of the scale population with minimum temperature (r=0.54) and negative relationship with the parasitism by Coccophagus sp. (r=0.81) was recorded. Multiple regression analysis revealed that 75.7% of the variation present in the green scale population could be predicted by abiotic factors and parasitism by Coccophagus sp. Further, step-wise regression procedure employed to arrive at a multiple regression model showed that about 65.60% of the scale population could be predicted by one factor namely, parasitism by Coccophagus sp. These results showed that parasitism by Coccophagus sp. played a major role in regulating the population of the soft green scale infesting sapota.     

红基盘瓢虫和红星盘瓢虫实验种群生命表的初步研究

本文组建了红基盘瓢虫和红星盘瓢虫的实验种群生命表,并应用Ｍｏｒｒｉｓ模式探讨影响种群数量变动的主要因子;计算了两瓢虫的内禀增长率（ｒ＿ｍ）及其它有关的生态学统计量。在实验室条件（平均温度２９．５±１．５℃和相对湿度７０．０±４．９％）下,红基盘瓢虫和红基盘瓢虫的内禀增长率（ｒ＿ｍ）、周限增长率（γ）均相近,而两者的种群趋势指数（Ｉ）、净繁殖率（Ｒ＿０）和世代平均历期（Ｔ）差异较大。红基盘瓢虫的内禀增长率ｒ＿ｍ＝０．０８４１,种群数量以每８．２天增长一倍的速率发展;红星盘瓢虫的内禀增长率ｒ＿ｍ＝０．０８８７,种群以每７．８天增长一倍的速率发展。生殖力减退是影响两瓢虫实验种群数量变动的主要因子。在盛夏进行两瓢虫的大量繁殖并应用于橄榄星室木虱的防治是可行的。     

Biology ofCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant [Coccinellidae: Coleoptera] in relation with temperature

The effect of temperature on the developmental duration ofCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant was quantified by deriving a regression equation for each developmental stage as well as the total life cycle. While the duration of life stages was shorter during summer and longer during winter, the optimum constant temperature for maximal development was found to be 30°C. The adult longevity was extended when reared at 20°C than at 30°C and ambient temperature. The longevity of adults was longer when maintained on grape mealybugMaconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) than on honey and when maintained at 20°C. The fecundity of the predator was higher at 30°C than at 20°C. Eventhough the adults could survive at 10°C, the productive capacity was impaired.      

孟氏隐唇瓢虫qRT-PCR分析中内参基因的筛选

选择合适的内参基因是qRT-PCR研究的关键。本文以孟氏隐唇瓢虫Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant为研究材料,利用qRT-PCR技术,对孟氏隐唇瓢虫4个候选内参基因Actin、RPS23、GAPDH和β-tubulin的mRNA的表达量进行了分析,并用Ge Norm、Norm Finder和Best Keeper软件分析它们在孟氏隐唇瓢虫不同发育阶段及成虫不同组织中的表达稳定性。结果表明,以成虫不同组织为材料时,综合三种软件分析结果显示4个候选基因表达稳定性平均等级值排名为RPS23(rank=1)β-tubulin(rank=2.3)GAPDH(rank=3)Actin(rank=3.7),以不同发育时期虫体为材料时,综合分析结果显示4个候选内参基因表达稳定性平均等级值排名为RPS23(rank=1.7)Actin(rank=2)GAPDH(rank=2.7)β-tubulin(rank=3.7)。综合分析在瓢虫不同发育阶段及成虫不同组织两种处理下,三种软件的评价效果,4个候选基因表达稳定性等级值的总平均排名为RPS23(rank=1.3)Actin(rank=2.8)=GAPDH(rank=2.8)β-tubulin(rank=3)。RPS23在瓢虫不同发育阶段及成虫不同组织中均显示出较高的表达稳定性及与其它基因之间极大的相关性,可以确定为孟氏隐唇虫不同发育阶段及成虫不同组织基因表达分析中一个稳定表达的基因,可作为单个内参基因或者其它内参基因的协同基因,本实验为开展孟氏隐唇瓢虫功能基因表达分析奠定了方法学基础。