Colony orientation and successful defence behaviour in the conifer aphid, Schizolachnus pineti |
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Authors: | Wolfgang Völkl and Bernhard Stadler |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, P.O. Box 101 251, D-95 440 Bayreuth, Germany |
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Abstract: | We studied colony structure and body orientation behaviour of Schizolachnus pineti, a specialised aphid feeding on needles of Scots pine. Aphids feeding at the margin of a colony always face towards the centre of the colony, bounding the colony with their legs. This behaviour increased the defence success aginst the specialised parasitoid (Pauesia unilachni) and the specialised predator (Scymnus nigrinus). Both enemies had less success when attacking S. pineti from the abdominal site when compared to the front. We assume that the defence orientation displayed by marginally feeding aphids has an adaptive nature and is particularly effective when feeding in a row on linear plant structures such as needles. |
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Keywords: | Schizolachnus pineti body orentation colony structure defence success Pauesia unilachni Scymnus nigrinus |
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