EFFECTS OF VARIOUS FACTORS ON THE LOCAL DISTRIBUTION AND DENSITY OF COCCINELLID ADULTS ON CORN (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractThe adult densities of Hippodamia tredecimpunctata tibialis (Say), Coccinella novemnotata Hbst., and Coccinella transversoguttata richardsoni Brown, on corn fluctuated in July and August and reached their maxima at pollination, whereas the density of Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake fluctuated much less. C. maculata, H. tredecimpunctata, and C. transversoguttata were more numerous on plants with a liver diet applied to their foliage than on untreated plants. H. tredecimpunctata, C. novemnotata, and C. transversoguttata were less numerous on plants that had their tassels removed and produced no pollen than on intact plants. C. maculata, H. tredecimpunctata, and C. transversoguttata were more numerous on plants exposed to the maximum amount of sunshine than on plants that were shaded for part of each day. H. tredecimpunctata was more numerous on plants situated at low elevation than at high elevation, whereas C. transversoguttata was more numerous at high than at low elevation. C. maculata and H. tredecimpunctata were more numerous on plants near the middle of a corn field than on plants at the perimeter of a field adjacent to buckwheat, whereas C. novemnotata and C. transversoguttata were most numerous on plants near the perimeter. Two-species associations of C. maculata and H. tredecimpunctata, C. novemnotata and H. tredecimpunctata, C. novemnotata and C. transversoguttata, and C. novemnotata and H. tredecimpunctata occurred on individual plants. Plant density and time of planting affected coccinellid density. Adult density was greatest at a plant density of 3.2 plants per square metre and adults were more numerous on early than on late planted corn.