Functional response ofCurinus coeruleus (Col.: Coccinellidae) toHeteropsylla cubana (Hom.: Psyllidae) on artificial and natural substrates

Laboratory measurements of the functional response of adultCurinus coeruleus (Mulsant) to nymphs ofHeteropsylla cubana Crawford on filter paper and on leaves of different host plants showed a significant effect of these different substrates on nymph consumption at several different densities. Moreover, this effect may be explained by the influence of the substrate on the search rate of the predator. Host plants tested includedLeucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Witt,L. diversifolia (Schlecht.) Benth. andL. pallida Britton and Rose. Results obtained may be relevant to plant-protection research programs involving the integration of biological control with host-plant resistance.