BioControl (2010) 55, 261-269

Mohammad Amin Jalali, Luc Tirry and Patrick De Clercq (2010)
Effect of temperature on the functional response of Adalia bipunctata to Myzus persicae
BioControl 55 (2), 261-269
Abstract: The effect of temperature on the functional response of female adults of the two-spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was examined in petri dish arenas containing sweet pepper leaves infested with different densities of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The predator showed a type II functional response at three tested temperatures ranging from 19°C to 27°C. The theoretical maximum number of prey captured by the predator increased with temperature. Based on the random predator equation, the estimated attack rates ranged from 0.13 h⁻¹ at 19°C to 0.35 h⁻¹ at 27°C on a leaf area of 20-25 cm². There was no significant difference between the attack rates of the predator at 23°C and 27°C. Handling time significantly decreased as temperature increased from 19°C (0.39 h) to 27°C (0.24 h). This study shows that A. bipunctata displays high predation rates on M. persicae for a wide range of temperatures, indicating its potential for augmentative releases against this aphid pest. The limitations of the predictions generated by functional response experiments are discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Luc Tirry, Patrick De Clercq, M. Amin Jalali

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Myzus persicae	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)
Adalia bipunctata (predator)	Myzus persicae	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)