Abstract
AbstractTo assess the potential selection pressure caused by intraguild predation between predators and parasitoids of aphids an estimate was made of the predation risk to Aphis fabae Scop. mummified by Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall, 1896) on sugar beet. Mummified aphids were exposed to a natural community of predators. Their survival time was estimated during a 10‐day field survey. Additionally, the role of alternative prey on parasitoid survival was investigated by adding unparasitised aphids to half of the mummy aggregations.The field data were evaluated by survival analysis. Two covariates were tested within a Cox proportional hazard model: (i) the presence of the alternative prey and (ii) the patch structure (number of proximal mummies attacked). Within 4–5 days after exposure predators destroyed approx. 50% of the mummies. The model with both covariates revealed a significant difference concerning survival of the mummies in the two treatments (Likelihood ratio test, χ2= 78.03, P = 0.0001). Alternative prey reduced the predation risk on mummies by 29%, while a high level of predation on proximal mummies increased the individual predation risk by 4%. The results are discussed in the context of prey location by predators and the evolution of anti‐predator mechanisms.
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