Entomophaga (1997) 42, 3-12

É. Lucas, D. Coderre and J. Brodeur (1997)
Instar-specific defence of Coleomegilla maculata lengi (Col.: Coccinellidae): influence on attack success of the intraguild predator Chrysoperla rufilabris (Neur.: Chrysopidea)
Entomophaga 42 (1/2), 3-12
Abstract: We conducted a laboratory study of the behavioural interactions between larval stages of the lady beetle Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake and an intraguild predator, the lacewing Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister. Ladybird susceptibility to predation by third instar C. rufilabris is age-specific and influenced by larval defensive strategies. First and second instars of C. maculata were captured more consistently by chrysopid larvae than third and fourth instars. Young coccinellids generally exhibit escape reactions (dropping, fleeing, retreating) but, do not survive after being caught by lacewings. In addition to escape reactions, older larvae may actively defend themselves by wriggling or biting, even after being pierced. The proportion of physical interactions that resulted in coccinellid death was significantly lower for older instars (< 2%) than for first (35%) and second (19%) instars. Capture efficiency by C. rufilabris was related to the coccinellid-chrysopid size ratio. Dropping off the leaves, the most common defensive behaviour displayed by coccinellid larvae, contributed to reduce overall mortality of first instars to a level similar to the one observed for older stages. However, lacewings were able to prevent coccinellid dropping by impaling and holding their prey in the air, or by falling with the ladybirds to the ground where they continued their attack.
(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): Éric Lucas, Daniel Coderre

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.
Chrysoperla rufilabris (predator)
Coleomegilla maculata (predator)