Insect Science (2006) 13, 119-126
Avanish K. Gupta, Shefali Srivastava, Geetanjali Mishra, Kalpana Singh and Omkar (2006)
Survival, development and life tables of two congeneric ladybirds in aphidophagous guilds
Insect Science 13 (2), 119-126
Abstract: Two congeneric aphidophagous ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata and Coccinella transversalis, were reared on three aphid species, Lipaphis erysimi, Myzus persicae and Aphis nerii, to estimate the effect of prey quality and intra- and interspecific interactions on their survival and development of life stages. Mortality of first instar ladybirds of both species was highest feeding on A. nerii. Preimaginal mortality was lowest when feeding on L. erysimi (C. septempunctata, 1.6% and C. transversalis, 3.2%), and highest when feeding on A. nerii (C. septempunctata, 6.2% and C. transversalis, 8.2%). Comparatively higher weight and larger size of C. septempunctata along with the lower levels of mortality recorded suggested that it is more likely to have acted as an intraguild predator than C. transversalis. High recorded mortality of C. transversalis is attributed to probable intraguild predation on account of its smaller size. The major sources of mortality were probably cannibalism, intraguild predation and other unknown factors. Lower prey quality increased the incidence of cannibalism and intraguild predation, especially in C. transversalis. The investigation suggests an intrinsic competitive advantage for C. septempunctata over C. transversalis in guilds of three aphid species.
(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): Omkar
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myzus persicae | ||||
| Lipaphis erysimi | ||||
| Aphis nerii | ||||
| Coccinella septempunctata (predator) | Lipaphis erysimi | |||
| Coccinella transversalis (predator) | Lipaphis erysimi |
