Entomologia Generalis (2019) 39, 251-258

Xu Chen, Da Xiao, Xiaoyan Du, Fan Zhang, Liansheng Zang and Su Wang (2019)
Impact of polymorphism and abiotic conditions on prey consumption by Harmonia axyridis
Entomologia Generalis 39 (3-4), 251-258
Abstract: Polymorphic diversity, such as elytra patterns of insects, is regarded as an external phenotypic characteristic driven by both genetics and environmental pleiotropy. The multicolored Asian ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), both an efficient natural enemy of herbivores and an invasive species with a worldwide distribution, shows a multitude of elytral patterns and strong environmental adaptability. Some studies have documented differences of ecological adaptability among H. axyridis morphotypes, but none compared their predatory performance under differing environmental conditions, to further understand the evolutionary significance of elytral pattern diversity. We evaluated predation (number of prey consumed per time unit) on three different herbivores by melanic/succinic and male/female adults of H. axyridis, under different temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35° C). and photoperiods (4:20, 8:16, 12:12, 16:8, 20:4). We found significant differences in prey consumed by the predator between gender and polymorphic types, including under comparable environment parameters. Furthermore, there were also significant differences in predation when temperature and photoperiod regimes varied. Our results hinted a high plasticity in prey consumption relative to polymorphic type and gender in H. axyridis. These findings could be informative for developing further biological control programs relying on H. axyridis, notably for optimizing the effectiveness of predator releases according to polymorph to be used and environment targeted.
(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): Lian-Sheng Zang

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Harmonia axyridis (predator)