Abstract
BackgroundChrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an illustrious predator that performs cannibalism upon facing small and defenseless conspecifics. Eating preference of C. carnea larvae was investigated between conspecific and host (Sitotroga cerealella) eggs. Early instars of C. carnea express significant preference toward conspecific eggs over host eggs. Experiments were carried out to examine the role of conspecific neighbors in execution of cannibalistic decision. These cannibalistic behaviors of larvae were also investigated through locomotion bioassays using the video tracking software ANY-maze®.ResultsLarvae commit low egg cannibalism when alone but express higher cannibalism in the presence of conspecific larvae in the neighborhood. The role of relatedness in egg cannibalism was investigated when larvae were offered a choice between conspecific eggs from related and unrelated parents. Larvae did a discrimination between eggs of their own parents and those of other parents.ConclusionBehavioral bioassays showed attraction toward conspecific eggs and the eggs of unrelated parents. This study emphasizes the significance of informational and descriptive cues that modulate the cannibalistic expression in C. carnea.
Highlights
Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an illustrious predator that performs cannibalism upon facing small and defenseless conspecifics
Earlier instar larvae (first instar (t = 5.7, df = 14, p < 0.00) and second instar (t = 3.5, df = 14, p = 0.003)) were committed significant egg cannibalism, regardless of the presence of host eggs, indicating the attraction to conspecific eggs was not influenced by the presence of host eggs
In experiment 3, both second and third instar larvae were evaluated for egg cannibalism in the presence of conspecific larvae (Fig. 4)
Summary
Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an illustrious predator that performs cannibalism upon facing small and defenseless conspecifics. Experiments were carried out to examine the role of conspecific neighbors in execution of cannibalistic decision These cannibalistic behaviors of larvae were investigated through locomotion bioassays using the video tracking software ANY-maze®. Predators habitually target weak life stages, such as eggs or younger nymphs/larvae, possibly to avoid injury. This behavior emanates with several other possible costs, such as injuring and killing siblings, thereby lessening the indirect fitness of the cannibal, as well as heightening the Sohail et al Egypt J Biol Pest Control (2021) 31:140 chances of acquiring the infection of deleterious parasites and pathogens (Pizzatto and Shine 2011)
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