Different response in respiration between predaceous and phytophagous lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to starvation

Population Ecology - Survival times and changes in the respiratory rates and the live body weights of a predaceous lady beetle,Coccinella septempunctata bruckii Mulsant, and a phytophagous lady...     

Analysis of the aggregation behavior in the larvae ofHarmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to prey colony

Summary The searching and handling behaviors ofHarmonia axyridis larvae to the colony ofRhopalosiphum padi were experimentally examined and the processes of their aggregation to the prey colony was analyzed. All the instar larvae searched for the prey at random and they have no preference to the prey colony, but except the 1st instar they tend to aggregate to the plants with prey colonies. The 1st instar larvae tend to stay on the plants they once located. The 2nd to 4th instar larvae often emigrate from the plants without prey colony but seldom emigrate from the plants with prey colonies, and consequently, they aggregate to the plants with prey colonies. The expense of time to eat prey (in the 2nd and 3rd instars) and the change of searching behavior for the prey after feeding (in the 3rd and 4th instars) are responsible for the larval concentration to prey colony as a trapping effect for predators to prey colony.     

Sibling cannibalism in the ladybird beetleHarmonia axyridis: Fitness consequences for mother and offspring

The adaptive significance of sibling cannibalism was analyzed in the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis at two prey densities. Possible costs and benefits were considered from three points of view: the mother, the cannibal and the victim. Cannibals ate both infertile and fertile eggs, thereby increasing in body length and survival rate with the intensity of sibling cannibalism. The cannibalistic trait was clearly beneficial to the cannibal when aphid density was low. However, it was not always beneficial when aphid density was high and the victims were full siblings. The altruistic behavior of being a victim was beneficial only when the victim was cannibalized by full siblings at low aphid density. The mother attained almost equal fitness at low aphid density, regardless of the intensity of sibling cannibalism. This suggests that sibling cannibalism is not maladaptive for the mother. At high aphid density, however, mother's fitness decreased with the intensity of sibling cannibalism, indicating that sibling cannibalism is maladaptive for the mother when larval food availability is high.     

Reproductive properties of two sympatric dung beetles,Aphodius haroldianus andA. Elegans (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

1. Reproductive properties of two sympatric dung beetles, Aphodius haroldianus and A. elegans, were studied at a pasture in the central Japan.
2. Overwintered adults of A. haroldianus came flying to dung pats from May to early August and bred from June to July. A. elegans overwintered as larvae, new adults came to dung pats from mid May to mid June. After aestivation, they reproduced from October to November.
3. A. haroldianus was a species with low fecundity and large food reserve for larvae. Female of this species had short duration of residence and laid fewer number of eggs in one dung pat. On the other hand, A. elegans was a species with high fecundity and small food reserve for larvae. Female of this species had long duration of residence and laid larger number of eggs in one dung pat.
4. The daily egg production in A. haroldianus reached a peak (0.40 eggs/female/day) at middle of oviposition period, but, that in A. elegans reached a peak (6.49 eggs/female/ day) at the beginning of oviposition period. The mortality of A. haroldianus female occurred after the daily egg production reached a peak and then rapidly increased, whereas that of A. elegans began soon after the beginning of oviposition and then gradually increased.

     

Arthropod predation limits the population density of an herbivorous lady beetle,Henosepilachna niponica (Lewis)

1. The possible impact of arthropod predation on inter-population variation in adult density of a thistle-feeding lady beetle, Henosepilachna niponica (Lewis ) was evaluated by means of predator exclusion experiments conducted in the field.
2. The population density of newly-emerged adults at one habitat in the upstream area (site F) was significantly lower than at another in the downstream area (site A) although the egg density was nearly identical in the two habitats.
3. In the habitat with lower adult density, egg mortality was higher due to higher levels of predation. A predator exclusion experiment demonstrated that arthropod predation was the main factor causing high mortality during the immature stages, and physical factors such as heavy rains were unlikely to influence larval survivals.
4. Earwigs, ground beetles, predaceous stink bugs, and spiders were identified as the main predators in the study area. Of these, an earwig, Anechura harmandi (Burr ) was more predominant than other predators and was significantly more abundant in the habitat with low adult densities.

     

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.     

Effect of alfalfa habitat change on dispersal behavior of Harmonia axyridis Pallas and Hippodamia variegata Goeze (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

An alfalfa grassland landscape was divided into 36 plots during 2014 season in Yuanzhou District of Guyuan city in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of P.R. China. In these three times repeated experiments, treatment of habitat fragmentation was divided into two grades: continuity (H = 0.0) and fragmentation (H = 1.0), and their habitat loss rate was divided into 6 grades: 90, 80, 70, 50, 20 and 0%. Considering habitat loss 0% of the plot as the reference, as a result of sweeping net and visual methods, results showed that the flight distance of the Harmonia axyridis was much higher than that of the Hippodamia variegata both in fragmentation and continuous habitats. In the alfalfa landscape, H. axyridis moved more by flying, while H. variegata moved more by crawling. There was a threshold effect that affected the movement behavior of lady beetles between 70 and 100% of the habitat loss. The population of the two species of lady beetles in the continuous habitat was higher than that in the habitat fragmentation and was more obvious in 70 and 50% plots of the habitat loss. The dispersal rate of the two species of lady beetles inside plots was higher than outside of the experimental plots, which reflected the low diffusivity of the ladybeetle. Habitat fragmentation affected the dispersal, migration and construction of two species of lady beetles on different spatial scales by disturbing the spread of natural enemies and searching for prey.     

Population field studies of the aphidophagous ladybird beetleHarmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): Life tables and key factor analysis

1. Life tables of the predatory ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis were analysed by taking samples from twenty or twenty four sites colonized by eight species of aphids for two years.
2. Larval mortality was a key factor in the H. axyridis populations. Mortality of all the stages tended to be density-dependent when life cycles were divided into four developmental stages, except in the case of mortality at hatching due to sibling cannibalism.
3. Sibling and non-sibling cannibalism played an important role on population stability and persistence.

     

异色瓢虫幼虫对卵的种内自残和种间捕食

自残现象的发生在异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis中很是常见,为明确自残行为对其存活和生长发育的影响,在非选择性条件下我们对异色瓢虫幼虫对非姊妹卵的种内自残和对七星瓢虫Coccinella septempunctata卵的种间捕食进行了研究。结果表明,异色瓢虫取食同种卵和异种卵均可完成生长发育,与取食蚜虫相比：①其从卵到成虫及蛹期的发育历期明显缩短（P<0.05）,其中1龄幼虫发育历期缩短非常明显（P<0.01）;②自然条件下高死亡率的1龄幼虫的存活率明显提高（P<0.05）;③2-4龄幼虫、蛹和成虫的体重变轻（P<0.05）,且体长在4龄幼虫间也表现出显著差异（P<0.05）。这表明异色瓢虫种内自残和种间捕食对其在食物恶劣条件下延续种群至关重要,但对种群的繁衍却不是最理想的途径。     

Ten years of invasion: Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Britain

1. Harmonia axyridis was first recorded in Britain in 2004. Two subsequent earlier records were received from 2003. 2. The UK Ladybird Survey, a citizen science initiative involving online recording, was launched in 2005 to encourage people across Britain to track the spread of H. axyridis. Tens of thousands of people have provided records of H. axyridis and other species of ladybirds, creating an invaluable dataset for large‐scale and long‐term research. Declines in the distribution of seven (of eight assessed) native species of ladybird have been demonstrated, and correlated with the arrival of H. axyridis, using the records collated through the UK Ladybird Survey. 3. Experimental research and field surveys have also contributed to our understanding of the ecology of H. axyridis and particularly the process of invasion. Harmonia axyridis arrived in Britain through dispersal and introduction events from regions in which it was deliberately released as a biological control agent. The rapid spread of this species has been attributed to its high natural dispersal capability by means of both flight and anthropogenic transport. A number of factors have contributed to the successful establishment and indeed dominance of this polymorphic species within aphidophagous guilds, including high reproductive capacity, intra‐guild predation, eurytopic nature, high resistance to natural enemies within the invaded range, and potentially phenotypic plasticity. 4. The global invasion by H. axyridis and subsequent research on this species has contributed to the general understanding of biological invasions.     

Population field studies on the aphidophagous ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): resource tracking and population characteristics

To clarify functional and numerical responses to temporal and spatial variations of resources (resource tracking), and the population characteristics of the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis, I analyzed the results of a 3-year field observation at 24 sites (seven plant species) on eight species of aphids. The seasonal changes in the number of beetles estimated by the Jolly–Seber method were significantly correlated with those of aphids in the total area. The estimated values of population parameters suggested frequent immigration and emigration of the H. axyridis population, although reproductive rates between spring and summer were rather stable all 3 years (1.87–3.49). The staying time and the daily number of adults and eggs at each site were influenced not only by a single factor but also by interactions among time and quantity and quality of the prey. The adult movement showed two patterns, which corresponded with the movement within and between the subpopulations when an assemblage of H. axyridis occurring on the plants of the same species or genus was regarded as a subpopulation. Adult movement intensely occurred within a subpopulation, although the beetles moving between subpopulations had a significantly greater chance to reach the habitat with a high aphid density. The habitats of H. axyridis could be categorized into a suitable habitat for survival and reproduction and a temporal refuge. The results obtained here suggest that H. axyridis, with high ability of prey searching and reproduction, maintains a stable population in heterogeneous and temporal habitats by its resource tracking mechanisms. Received: March 8, 1999 / Accepted: April 25, 2000     

异色瓢虫生物生态学研究进展

原产于亚洲的异色瓢虫[Harmonia axyridis Pallas(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae)]是最重要的捕食性瓢虫种类之一,被广泛应用于农林业害虫的生物防治.本文综合分析了国内外近几十年对异色瓢虫的研究成果,对其重要的生物学及生态学特性进行了归纳,主要涉及生活史、繁殖行为及策略、捕食行为和自残行为等,分析了相关研究对其应用前景的影响.基于异色瓢虫的人工饲养、农药交互作用以及入侵生态影响等的总结,提出了预防异色瓢虫造成生态不平衡的具体措施.     

Invasions by Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the Western Hemisphere: implications for South America

The multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), native to Asia, has recently been detected in South America after successfully invading North America and Europe. This coccinellid is a voracious predator; therefore, it is popular and effective in biological control. Unfortunately, H. axyridis also has associated adverse impacts (i.e., as a household pest, pest of fruit production, and threat to non-target organisms). To predict the potential geographic extent of impacts of H. axyridis in South America we review the history of its invasion in the Western Hemisphere and address various factors critical to the future invasion (i.e., arrival, establishment, and spread) of new areas of South America. The likelihood of continued introductions (i.e., arrival) of H. axyridis to South America seems high, due to its popularity as a biological control agent and through accidental introductions. Establishment also seems likely in broad regions of South America. Climate matching with the native range suggested that much of southern South America may be suitable for establishment. In contrast, habitat matching with the native range suggested that northern South America may be more suitable. In addition, prey availability should not limit establishment of this predator. Once established, H. axyridis seems likely to spread by flight and human-assisted means. Overall, the invasion of H. axyridis over broad areas in South America seems likely.     

Expansion of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to European Russia and adjacent regions

An invasive alien species, the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), has quickly expanded its distribution in Eastern Europe. Records of H. axyridis from 31 localities in Lithuania, Latvia, the Ukraine, European Russia, and the Northern Caucasus are summarized and mapped. Within the last few years this species has established in south Latvia, on the Baltic Sea shore (Kaliningrad oblast and Lithuania), in the western and central Ukraine, Crimea, and in the Northern Caucasus. Besides that, individual specimens have been found in 4 more localities in European Russia. The species is recorded from Lipetsk oblast (European Russia), Crimea, and Nikolaev oblast (the Ukraine) for the first time.     

不同温度条件下异色瓢虫四龄幼虫亲缘关系对自残行为的影响

在14、18、22、24℃及30℃下对异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis(Pallas)的不同同血缘的四龄幼虫自残行为及其对生长发育的影响进行研究。结果表明,异色瓢虫四龄幼虫自残发生概率受环境温度条件影响显著。在22-24℃处理范围内同血缘个体间自残发生概率均显著小于非同血缘个体。自残滞后时间同样受环境温度条件影响显著,且在同一温度条件下同血缘个体间均显著小于非同血缘处理。个体间相互攻击率不受环境温度变化影响,而在高于22℃下受血缘关系影响显著。此外,总受攻击次数在不同温度处理间差异显著。同血缘个体间自残后死亡率随温度增加而减少,均在30%以上。而非同血缘个体间自残后死亡率不受温度变化影响,均在70%以上。自残后残存个体的化蛹率及成虫羽化率均不受环境温度变化及个体间血缘关系的影响,化蛹率除30℃处理外均在90%以上,而在各温度下两血缘处理的羽化率均大于70%。     

Adult population parameters and life tables of an epilachnine beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on bitter cucumber in Sumatra

The population dynamics of an epilachnine beetle, which is closely related to Epilachna sparsaDieke (henceforth called “sp. C”) and feeds on bitter cucumber Momordica charantia, was studied by mark-recapture of adults and the construction of life tables. The study was repeated three times, i.e., March–May, July–September and October–December in 1982, in Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia. After the establishment of the host plants, adults of “sp. C” soon colonized, and each study period ended in the death of the plants due to defoliation by the larvae and adults. The estimated mean length of residence of adults ranged from 6–11 days, but this was probably much shorter than the actual longevity, because the adults were so active that they flew away, or dropped off the plants, when they were approached or slightly disturbed. Life tables indicated that egg mortality ranged from 17.8–53.9%, and a parasitic wasp Tetrastichus sp. B made up 41.1–64.2% of egg mortality. Two wasps, Tetrastichus sp. C and Pediobius foveolatus killed 1.2–19.4% (7.6–100%)^* of 4th instars and only the latter species attacked the pupae, killing 24.6–59.1% (45.1–72.4%). Parasitism and starvation by overcrowding contributed most to the total mortality from egg to adult emergence, which ranged from 89.4–99.5%. “Sp. C” had a higher diversity and level of parasitism than the Japanese species, E. vigintioctopunctata. The high dispersal power of “sp. C”, coupled with the prolonged l_x−m_x schedules shown under laboratory conditions, was advantageous for exploiting the food plant which was available throughout the year, but was rather patchily distributed in space.