Predation of <I>Ostrinia nubilalis</I> (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Eggs in Sweet Corn by Generalist Predators and the Impact of Alternative Foods

Abstract

Abstract Generalist predators are common in most agricultural cropping systems. However, pest control from these predators is often overlooked as a component of integrated pest management (IPM) because the extent of predation is generally unknown and difficult to assess. In western New York sweet corn (Zea mays L.), the primary predators are Orius insidiosus (Say), Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), and Harmonia axyridis (Pallas). European corn borer [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner)] is the primary insect pest. The objectives of this study were to compare O. nubilalis egg predation rates for these three species and to understand how egg predation by these predators is affected by the availability of alternative food. Laboratory data indicate that all three predators feed on O. nubilalis eggs. C. maculata consumed more eggs than H. axyridis or O. insidiosus. Immatures of C. maculata and O. insidiosus readily completed development on a diet of O. nubilalis eggs, but H. axyridis larvae could not complete developmen...