Predation and functional response of the multi-coloured Asian ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis on the adult Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri

Abstract

ABSTRACTDiaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a vector for the citrus Huanglongbing greening disease, which can reduce crop yields. Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is known to prey on D. citri nymphs; we investigated the predation capacity and functional response of H. axyridis on adult D. citri. H. axyridis larvae exhibited Holling’s type II functional response to different densities of adult D. citri. For second, third and fourth instar H. axyridis larvae, the successful attack rates were 0.75 ± 0.22, 1.06 ± 0.11, and 1.04 ± 0.26, respectively; the handling times were 18.08 ± 5.37, 0.45 ± 0.07, and 0.24 ± 0.07 h, respectively; and the estimated maximum predation rates were 4, 54, and 102, respectively. Fourth instar larvae had the lowest handling time. Adult H. axyridis consumed more D. citri adults maintained at 15–20°C than at 30–35°C, with an optimal temperature of 17.28°C. More adults were consumed during the day than at night, with peak consumption between 12:00 and 14:00 h, not differing significantly differ between predator genders. Adult H. axyridis reared on the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum were tested for D. citri predation; these H. axyridis had successful attack rates, handling times, and estimated maximal predation rates of 0.66 ± 0.18, 0.82 ± 0.26 h, and 29, respectively. Conversely, those fed and tested on D. citri had corresponding rates of 0.99 ± 0.17, 0.38 ± 0.12 h, and 63, respectively. Significant H. axyridis predation on adult D. citri indicated its enhanced role in suppressing both nymph and adult D. citri.