Biocontrol Science and Technology (2012) 22, 101-110
Tahereh Karami Jamour and Parviz Shishehbor (2012)
Host plant effects on the functional response of Stethorus gilvifrons to strawberry spider mites
Biocontrol Science and Technology 22 (1), 101-110
Abstract: The functional response of adult females of the coccinellid beetle Stethorus gilvifrons Mulsant to juveniles of strawberry spider mite, Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov and Nikolski was determined on cowpea, castor bean and cucumber leaves in the laboratory at 25°C and a 14 h L: 10 h D photoperiod. Beetles were isolated singly for 24 h in 9-cm Petri dishes with either 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, or 128 nymphal stages of T. turkestani. Results showed a typical type II response on all plants tested, with up to 110.7, 100.8, and 53.0 prey attacked when 128 nymphal stages were provided on cowpea, castor bean, and cucumber leaves, respectively. Based on the Rogers random attack equation, the highest estimated attack rate and the lowest handling time were obtained on cowpea. It was therefore concluded that the host plant species can affect the predation rate and functional response components of S. gilvifrons, a specific and effective predator of spider mites.
(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): Parviz Shishehbor
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
