Environmental Entomology (2005) 34, 432-439

Kazunori Ohashi, Yasuyuki Sakuratani, Naoya Osawa, Shuichi Yano and Akio Takafuji (2005)
Thermal microhabitat use by the ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and its life cycle consequences
Environmental Entomology 34 (2), 432-439
Abstract: Most central Honshu populations of the ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L., pass the winter as quiescent adults. However, variations in life cycle within populations have been observed: hibernating and reproductive adults simultaneously coexist in the same habitat in winter. We studied microhabitat use patterns of this beetle in winter on a sunny slope of a southeast-facing riverbank. We found that, even though natural substrates were available, the beetle preferred to use artificial substrates such as metal cans (iron or aluminum), papers, and wooden materials discarded on the slope as oviposition and pupation sites. The artificial substrates were relatively easily warmed by solar radiation and were therefore used as thermal microhabitats by the beetle. Although ambient winter air temperatures of this region were not high enough for the beetles to complete their development, the use of thermal microhabitats enabled them to do so by thermal conduction. Prey aphids were also abundant during the winter. Thermal microhabitat use enables these beetles to complete an additional generation in winter.
(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): Shuichi Yano

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Coccinella septempunctata (predator)			Japan