Bulletin of Entomological Research (2008) 98, 631-639
N. Desneux and R.J. O'Neil (2008)
Potential of an alternative prey to disrupt predation of the generalist predator, Orius insidiosus, on the pest aphid, Aphis glycines, via short-term indirect interactions
Bulletin of Entomological Research 98 (6), 631-639
Abstract: Generalist insect predators can significantly impact the dynamics of pest populations; and, using alternative prey, they can rapidly establish in disturbed agroecosystems. However, indirect interactions between prey can occur, leading to either increased or decreased predation on focal prey. The present paper demonstrates how alternative prey can disrupt predation by the hemipteran Orius insidiosus on the soybean aphid Aphis glycines via short-term indirect interactions. We used laboratory microcosms to measure the impact of the predator on the population growth of the aphid in the presence of alternative prey, soybean thrips Neohydatothrips variabilis, and we characterized the foraging behaviour of the predator to assess prey preference. We showed that O. insidiosus predation on aphids was reduced in the presence of thrips and that this positive impact on aphids increased as thrips density increased. Results from the behavioural experiment support the hypothesis of a prey preference toward thrips. When prey-pest ratio is aphid-biased, short-term apparent commensalism between prey occurs in favour of the most abundant prey (aphids) with no switching behaviour appearing in O. insidiosus. These results demonstrate that potential indirect interactions should be taken into account when considering O. insidiosus as a biocontrol agent against the soybean aphid.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Nicolas Desneux, Robert J. O'Neil
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aphis glycines | ||||
| Neohydatothrips variabilis | ||||
| Orius insidiosus (predator) | Aphis glycines | |||
| Orius insidiosus (predator) | Neohydatothrips variabilis |
