Predator Presence Moves <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> Larvae to Distraction |
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Authors: | M-L Johnson S Armitage B C G Scholz D J Merritt B W Cribb M P Zalucki |
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Institution: | (1) Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, School of Integrative Biology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia;(2) School of Integrative Biology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia;(3) Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland and Australian Cotton CRC, PO Box 102, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4305, Australia;(4) Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia |
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Abstract: | Displacement of herbivorous insects by the presence of predators on whole plants has rarely been studied. By semi-continuous
observations of an externally feeding insect herbivore and a predator, we show how the mere presence of the predator, Geocoris lubra Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Geocoridae), on a plant can have a strong influence on the movement and behaviors of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae. The presence of predators, as opposed to mortality by predators, influenced the
proportion of larvae feeding, resting and implementing avoidance activities. In addition, the proportion of time individual
larvae allocated to feeding, resting and dropping off plants was affected when predators were present with and without contact
between the two. Predators do more than just reduce numbers of herbivores; they influence feeding, displacement and subsequently
the distribution of plant damage. |
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Keywords: | Helicoverpa armigera heliothis foraging behavior Geocoris lubra big-eyed bug predators |
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