Biocontrol Science and Technology (2013) 23, 1442-1457

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Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Mudasir Gani and Raj Kumar Arora (2013)
Prey infected with nucleopolyhedrovirus is preferred by the predatory stink bug Eocanthecona furcellata without altering its field fitness
Biocontrol Science and Technology 23 (12), 1442-1457
Abstract: Preference tests using the hemipteran predator Eocanthecona furcellata Wolff showed that nymphs and adults showed a constant preference towards virus-infected Spodoptera litura larvae. Adults feeding on healthy larvae throughout their life handled and consumed their prey quickly as compared to those feeding on infected prey, the differences being significant. Developmental time, survival rate, pre-mating period, sex-ratio and incubation period of E. furcellata that were reared on experimental plants infested with healthy larvae of S. litura as lifetime prey for all stages (control), healthy larvae during nymphal stage and infected larvae for adult stage, infected larvae for nymphal and healthy larvae for adult stage and infected larvae as lifetime meal for all stages of E. furcellata did not vary significantly. However, a significant reduction in body weight, fecundity, longevity and percent egg hatchability was observed when E. furcellata were fed on infected larvae as lifetime meal. The results revealed that the virus-infected larvae, relative to healthy larvae, had significant effect on prey preference of predators, but feeding on virus-infected prey had no adverse effect on its field fitness except on lifetime meal, which may not hold true under field conditions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
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Database assignments for author(s): Rakesh K. Gupta, Raj Kumar Arora

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Spodoptera litura
Eocanthecona furcellata (predator)	Spodoptera litura
Alphabaculovirus spliturae (entomopathogen)	Spodoptera litura