Journal of Applied Entomology - Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie (2002) 126, 194-197
F.H. Nielsen, M.S. Hauge and S. Toft (2002)
The influence of mixed aphid diets on larval performance of Coccinella septempunctata (Col., Coccinellidae)
Journal of Applied Entomology - Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie 126 (4), 194-197
Abstract: Three questions regarding possible benefits of mixed diets for the specialist aphid predator, Coccinella septempunctata larvae were investigated. (1) Do aphids species from different host plants complement each other nutritionally? (2) Is a mixed diet of high-quality aphids beneficial? (3) How does the quality of mixed diets depend on the quality of constituent species? All mix-combinations of aphid species of high (Metopolophium dirhodum), intermediate (Myzus persicae), and poor food quality (Aphis sambuci), and the three single-species diets were compared. A mixed diet of two high-quality species (Sitobion avenae and M. dirhodum) was also compared with single-species diets. Larvae that were given pure A. sambuci and a mixed diet of A. sambuci + M. persicae died within 18 days and none of the larvae developed to fourth instar. Metopolophium dirhodum was generally of higher quality as food than M. persicae, whereas the mixed diet of M. dirhodum + M. persicae was intermediate. Sitobion avenae and M. dirhodum were found to have approximately the same food value. Coccinella septempunctatam larvae that were offered a mixed diet of these two high-quality aphids gained no extra advantage. Overall, no benefit from mixing of aphid species was found. The quality of mixed diets depended on the quality of the constituent species.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Søren Toft
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment/habitat manipulation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myzus persicae | ||||
| Sitobion avenae | ||||
| Metopolophium dirhodum | ||||
| Coccinella septempunctata (predator) | Myzus persicae | |||
| Coccinella septempunctata (predator) | Sitobion avenae | |||
| Coccinella septempunctata (predator) | Metopolophium dirhodum |
