Journal of Applied Entomology - Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie (2001) 125, 131-134

J. Mohaghegh, P. De Clercq and L. Tirry (2001)
Functional response of the predators Podisus maculiventris (Say) and Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Het., Pentatomidae) to the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lep., Noctuidae): effect of temperature
Journal of Applied Entomology - Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie 125 (3), 131-134
Abstract: Predation abilities of Podisus maculiventris and Podisus nigrispinus on caterpillars of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), were compared at three different temperatures (18, 23 and 27°C) by performing functional response tests. In both species, predation capacity was a function of temperature and prey density: more prey were captured as temperature and number of prey offered increased. Results indicated that type II and III functional responses provided the best fit to the data obtained for P. nigrispinus at 18 and 23°C, and at 27°C, respectively. However, the data for P. maculiventris showed a better fit to type II at 18°C and to type III at higher temperatures. In both pentatomids the handling time decreased with increasing temperature. At higher temperatures, P. nigrispinus demonstrated greater predation rates than P. maculiventris. The implications of these findings for the control of caterpillar pests in glasshouses are discussed.
(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): Patrick De Clercq, Luc Tirry

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Spodoptera exigua
Podisus nigrispinus (predator)	Spodoptera exigua
Podisus maculiventris (predator)	Spodoptera exigua