Oikos (2009) 118, 1396-1404

John J. Sloggett, Kenneth F. Haynes and John J. Obrycki (2009)
Hidden costs to an invasive intraguild predator from chemically defended native prey
Oikos 118 (9), 1396-1404
Abstract: Studies of invasive species tend to concentrate on the reasons for their success, rather than on the potential costs that they face. Invasive predators are potentially vulnerable to chemical defences of native prey that they have not previously encountered, and evolved to tolerate, within their natural range. While novel chemical defences have been cited as a factor facilitating invasion by exotic prey, the potential costs of chemical novelty to invasive predators have been ignored or remained hidden. We here consider one such example. Although a dominant intraguild predator in interactions with native ladybird beetles, the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis finds the defensive alkaloids of certain native ladybirds either distasteful or toxic, although laboratory and field evidence suggests it readily attacks these prey; these natives appear to possess novel alkaloids not previously encountered by H. axyridis. This effect has hitherto remained hidden, due to the methodological approaches used in earlier studies.
(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): John J. Sloggett

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.
Harmonia axyridis (predator)