Hippodamia Convergens Research Articles

Lethality of the Entomogenous FungusBeauveria bassianaStrain NI8 onLygus lineolaris(Hemiptera: Miridae) and its Possible Impact on Beneficial Arthropods

Abstract Bioassays were conducted to examine the pathogenicity of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), strain NI8, against Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) and its impact on beneficial arthropods including Apis mellifera L., Crysoperla rufrilabris Burmeister, Orius insidiosus Say, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Coleomegilla maculata De Geer, and field-collected Aranea spiders Salticidae and Thomisidae. Insects were treated with four concentrations of NI8 (3.9 × 104, 2.3 × 105, 4.2 × 106, and 1.5 × 107 spores/ml) directly via topical spray. Median lethal concentration (LC50), sporulation response, and resistance ratio were estimated for all species except for the two groups of spiders. No significant differences in mortality (10 d after application) were observed among L. lineolaris, A. mellifera, and C. rufilabris, and all three species were highly affected when exposed to the highest concentrations of B. bassiana with 99.0...

Differences in Flight Activity of Coleomegilla maculata and Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Following Emergence, Mating, and Reproduction.

The flight activity of Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer and Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was examined by observing tethered beetles in the laboratory. C. maculata were fed eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, as were larval H. convergens, whereas adult H. convergens were fed Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) to induce egg maturation; adults of both species received water and diluted honey. A spot of magnetic paint was applied to one elytrum of each beetle, which then adhered to a small neodymium magnet attached to a thread. Beetles were permitted 1 h flight opportunities daily for 3-d periods, first as virgins on their fifth day of adult life, secondly after mating, thirdly after females began oviposition, and fourthly after prey were withheld and egg maturation and oviposition ceased. Both species exhibited low flight activity as virgins, and whereas C. maculata females increased their activity after mating, H. convergens females did not. Flight activity in C. maculata did not change with onset of oviposition, whereas it increased in H. convergens males, but not females. In contrast, H. convergens females increased their flight activity after cessation of oviposition, whereas C. maculata females did not. Female flight activity when either virgin or mated correlated weakly with fecundity in C. maculata, but not in H. convergens. Species differences are discussed in the context of nutritional ecology; H. convergens usually enters diapause immediately following emergence, and is more dependent on aphids for reproduction, whereas C. maculata develops and reproduces on a wider range of foods and is not so constrained.

Aphid secondary symbionts do not affect prey attractiveness to two species of predatory lady beetles.

Heritable symbionts have been found to mediate interactions between host species and their natural enemies in a variety of organisms. Aphids, their facultative symbionts, and their potential fitness effects have been particularly well-studied. For example, the aphid facultative symbiont Regiella can protect its host from infection from a fungal pathogen, and aphids with Hamiltonella are less likely to be parasitized by parasitic wasps. Recent work has also found there to be negative fitness effects for the larvae of two species of aphidophagous lady beetles that consumed aphids with facultative symbionts. In both species, larvae that consumed aphids with secondary symbionts were significantly less likely to survive to adulthood. In this study we tested whether adult Harmonia axyridis and Hippodamia convergens lady beetles avoided aphids with symbionts in a series of choice experiments. Adults of both lady beetle species were as likely to choose aphids with symbionts as those without, despite the potential negative fitness effects associated with consuming aphids with facultative symbionts. This may suggest that under natural conditions aphid secondary symbionts are not a significant source of selection for predatory lady beetles.

Four species of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) exhibit limited predation on Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) eggs and nymphs

The Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) co-occur in many habitats with many arthropods that are of suitable size as prey. The Pentatomidae (Hemiptera) are one such group of insects with eggs and early instars that could be susceptible to predation by Coccinellidae. The objective of this laboratory study was to examine if predation by adult and larval Coccinellidae occurred on the eggs and 1st instars of Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). We tested whether live eggs, live nymphs, or dead nymphs (recently frozen) would be fed on by Coleomegilla maculata, Harmonia axyridis, Hippodamia convergens and Olla v-nigrum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Our results show that starved 4th instars and adults of all tested Coccinellidae cannot feed on N. viridula eggs. More feeding by larval lady beetles occurred on recently frozen, dead 1st instars than on live 1st instars. The exception to this was larval C. maculata which fed similarly on live and dead nymphs. Adult lady beetles did not feed on live 1st instar N. viridula. Observations indicated that in some instances, a live N. viridula nymph was capable of repelling a predator. From this study, it is unlikely that the Coccinellidae contribute to substantial predation of N. viridula eggs and nymphs.

Enemigos naturales asociados al pulgón lanígero en huertos de manzano con diferente manejo de plagas


 
 
 El pulgón lanígero (Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann) es un fitófago que incide en huertos de manzano [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. var domestica (Borkh) Mansf.] establecidos en el estado de Chihuahua. Para su combate se ha privilegiado el uso de insecticidas convencionales, incurriendo en aplicaciones extemporáneas que posiblemente repercuten en la baja ocurrencia de enemigos naturales. Con base en lo anterior y la reducida información sobre enemigos naturales del pulgón lanígero del manzano en México, durante los años 2011 y 2012 se realizó el presente trabajo con la finalidad de identificar la incidencia de depredadores y parasitoides asociados a colonias de pulgón lanígero en huertos de manzano con diferente manejo de plagas. Por manejo del huerto, se detectaron 38 y 35 ejemplares para los huertos sin manejo y con manejo integrado de plagas, valores que fueron estadísticamente iguales entre sí y diferentes a los 12 ejemplares detectados en el huerto con manejo convencional. Las especies de depredadores asociadas a colonias de pulgón lanígero en Chihuahua fueron: Hippodamia convergens, Chrysopa nigricornis, Chrysopa oculata, Chrysoperla rufilabris, Chrysoperla comanche, Chrysopa spp., Allograpta obliqua, Sirphus sp. y Toxomerus sp., mientras que como parasitoides se detectó solo a Aphelinus mali.
 
 

The impact of six insecticides commonly used in control of agricultural pests on the generalist predator Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Hippodamia convergens is an important predator found in different agroecosystems. We evaluated the impacts of six insecticides on eggs, larvae and adults of this predator. For eggs, all insecticides reduced larval hatching rates, but did not affect egg duration. Chlorpyrifos and phosmet reduced larval survival; and chlorpyrifos, etofenprox and phosmet prolonged the larva development time. The survival and duration of pupae were not affected by all insecticides tested. Chlorpyrifos reduced fecundity, fertility and longevity when eggs were sprayed. For first-instar larvae, chlorpyrifos, etofenprox, phosmet and imidacloprid caused 100% mortality, while azadirachtin and thiamethoxam caused 35.0 and 52.7% mortality, respectively. However, azadirachtin and thiamethoxam did not affect the other biological parameters of the predator. In adults, chlorpyrifos, etofenprox and phosmet reduced adult survival. Chlorpyrifos, etofenprox, and phosmet reduced fecundity and longevity, but did not affect fertility. Azadirachtin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam did not affect fecundity, fertility or longevity. Based on demographic parameters, all insecticides reduced the net reproductive rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) of the predator when eggs were treated directly. Azadirachtin, chlorpyrifos, etofenprox and phosmet increased the mean generation time (T), while the effects of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam were similar to the control. When first-instar larvae were treated, azadirachtin and thiamethoxam reduced the Ro, r and λ. Thiamethoxam increased the T value, while the effects of the other insecticides were similar to the control. These insecticides should be used with caution, in order to reduce their harmful effects on the predator in agroecosystems.

Demographic histories of three predatory lady beetles reveal complex patterns of diversity and population size change in the United States.

Predatory lady beetles (Coccinellidae) contribute to biological control of agricultural pests, however, multiple species frequently compete for similar resources in the same environment. Numerous studies have examined ecological interactions among the native North American convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens) and two introduced species, the seven-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) and the Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis), in agricultural fields and described multiyear population dynamics. However, the evolutionary dynamics of these interacting species of predatory beetles are uncharacterized. We utilize publicly available multilocus genotype data from geographically disjunct populations of these three species to estimate demography across North American populations. Coalescent analyses reveal (1) a recent (∼4-5years) decline (>12 fold) in microsatellite effective population size of H. convergens, while expanding (mutation scaled growth rate in 1/u generations=2910, SD=362) over evolutionary time scales, (2) a massive (>150 fold), and very recent, effective population size decline in Ha. axyridis, and (3) population size growth (mutation scaled growth rate=997, SD=60) over recent and evolutionary time scales in C. septempunctata. Although these estimates are based on genetic data with different mutation rates and patterns of inheritance (mitochondrial versus nuclear), these dynamic and differing population size histories are striking. Further studies of the interactions of these predatory lady beetles in the field are thus warranted to explore the consequences of population size change and biological control activities for evolutionary trajectories in North America.

Mitogenome sequence accuracy using different elucidation methods.

Mitogenome sequences are highly desired because they are used in several biological disciplines. Their elucidation has been facilitated through the development of massive parallel sequencing, accelerating their deposition in public databases. However, sequencing, assembly and annotation methods might induce variability in their quality, raising concerns about the accuracy of the sequences that have been deposited in public databases. In this work we show that different sequencing methods (number of species pooled in a library, insert size and platform) and assembly and annotation methods generated variable completeness and similarity of the resulting mitogenome sequences, using three species of predaceous ladybird beetles as models. The identity of the sequences varied considerably depending on the method used and ranged from 38.19 to 90.1% for Cycloneda sanguinea, 72.85 to 91.06% for Harmonia axyridis and 41.15 to 93.60% for Hippodamia convergens. Dissimilarities were frequently found in the non-coding A+T rich region, but were also common in coding regions, and were not associated with low coverage. Mitogenome completeness and sequence identity were affected by the sequencing and assembly/annotation methods, and high within-species variation was also found for other mitogenome depositions in GenBank. This indicates a need for methods to confirm sequence accuracy, and guidelines for verifying mitogenomes should be discussed and developed by the scientific community.

A window of opportunity: Subdominant predators can use suboptimal prey.

Introduced species have been linked to declines of native species through mechanisms including intraguild predation and exploitative competition. However, coexistence among species may be promoted by niche partitioning if native species can use resources that the invasive species cannot. Previous research has shown that some strains of the aphid Aphis craccivora are toxic to a competitively dominant invasive lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis. Our objective was to investigate whether these aphids might be an exploitable resource for other, subdominant, lady beetle species. We compared larval development rate, survival, and adult weight of five lady beetle species in no‐choice experiments with two different strains of A. craccivora, one of which is toxic to H. axyridis and one that is nontoxic. Two lady beetle species, Cycloneda munda and Coleomegilla maculata, were able to complete larval development when feeding on the aphid strain that is toxic to H. axyridis, experiencing only slight developmental delays relative to beetles feeding on the other aphid strain. One species, Coccinella septempunctata, also was able to complete larval development, but experienced a slight reduction in adult weight. The other two lady beetle species, Hippodamia convergens and Anatis labiculata, demonstrated generally low survivorship when consuming A. craccivora, regardless of aphid strain. All five species showed increased survival and/or development relative to H. axyridis on the “toxic” aphid strain. Our results suggest that this toxic trait may act as a narrow‐spectrum defense for the aphids, providing protection against only some lady beetle enemies. For other less‐susceptible lady beetles, these aphids have the potential to provide competitive release from the otherwise dominant H. axyridis.

Melanaphis sacchari, a New Pest ofSorghum halepenseat Chiapas, México, and Its Predators

Abstract. Production of maize, Zea mays L., for forage at Chiapas, Mexico, is important for animal feed. However, with a recent objective to produce more forage, association of maize with other crops including Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., has increased. But association has brought infestation by new pests. The objective of this research was to identify the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), as a pest in the associated crop. We reported for first time the aphid affecting the crops at Chiapas, Mexico. The cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was compared with the GenBank database and the aphid was identified molecularly as Melanaphis sacchari with 95% similarity. Its predators were identified as: Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) 99% similarity, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, and Cycloneda sanguinea (L.). The last two were morphologically identified.

Warming Alters Prey Density and Biological Control in Conventional and Organic Agricultural Systems.

Studies have shown that organically farmed fields promote natural predator populations and often have lower pest populations than conventional fields, due to a combination of increased predation pressure and greater plant resistance to pest damage. It is unknown how pest populations and predator efficacy may respond in these farming systems as global temperatures increase. To test these questions, we placed enclosures in eight alfalfa fields farmed using conventional (n = 4) or organic (n = 4) practices for 25 years. We stocked enclosures with pea aphids and 0, 2, or 4 predaceous ladybeetles. Half of the enclosures per field were then either left at ambient temperature or plastic-wrapped to warm them by 2 °C. Aphid abundances were similar in conventional and organic fields under ambient conditions, but were significantly more abundant in conventional than in organic fields when enclosures were warmed. Predator efficacy was reduced under low predator abundance (Hippodamia convergens = 2) in conventional fields under warming conditions; predation strength in organic fields was unaffected by warming. Alfalfa biomass increased with increased predators in all farming and temperature treatments. Our study suggests that biological control may be more easily maintained in organic than in conventional systems as global temperature increases.

From laboratory to field: electro-antennographic and behavioral responsiveness of two insect predators to methyl salicylate

Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is a commonly emitted herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV) known to attract insect predators in agricultural crops. However, thorough studies on whether MeSA can increase their ecological functioning or their attraction under field conditions are still lacking. Here, we conducted laboratory, greenhouse, and field studies to address the hypothesis that two agriculturally important predatory insects (the ladybeetle Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville and the lacewing Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister) respond physiologically and behaviorally to MeSA, which may lead to increased predation and oviposition. In laboratory studies using electro-antennography, we found that male and female H. convergens and C. rufilabris antennae can detect MeSA; however, for both species, female antennae responded more strongly. In greenhouse studies using cages and wind tunnels, H. convergens females were attracted to, and arrested by, MeSA; this attraction increased egg predation. Attraction of C. rufilabris females to MeSA also increased oviposition. In field studies, mark-release-recapture experiments were performed to investigate H. convergens and C. rufilabris attraction to MeSA over various distances in cranberry fields. More H. convergens and C. rufilabris were caught on yellow sticky cards placed close (0–30 m) to the predator release site than at farther distances, regardless of whether the cards were baited with MeSA or not. In conclusion, H. convergens and C. rufilabris adults detected, and were attracted to, MeSA under laboratory and greenhouse conditions, resulting in higher predation and oviposition, but this attraction was not observed under field conditions. These results demonstrate that predator responses to HIPVs can be complex in real agricultural settings.

Trap Height Affects Capture of Lady Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Pecan Orchards.

There is scarce information regarding the vertical stratification of predaceous Coccinellidae in tall trees. Although numerous studies have been done in orchards and forests, very few studies have assessed the occurrence of predaceous Coccinellidae high in tree canopies. The objective of this study was to examine the abundance of Coccinellidae at different heights in mature pecan, Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch, orchards with tall trees. From spring through late fall during 2013 and 2014, yellow pyramidal Tedders traps were suspended in the pecan canopy at 6.1 and 12.2 m, in addition to being placed on the ground (0 m). The exotic species Harmonia axyridis and Coccinella septempunctata accounted for a high percentage of trap capture during this study. Except for Olla v-nigrum, low numbers of native species (Hippodamia convergens, Coleomegilla maculata, Cycloneda munda, Scymnus spp., and Hyperaspis spp.) were captured. However, significantly more were captured in ground traps rather than in canopy traps with the exception of O. v-nigrum. Similar to most native species, significantly more C. septempunctata were captured in ground traps than canopy traps. This contrasts sharply with H. axyridis captured similarly at all trap heights. The ability to exploit resources across vertical strata, unlike many intraguild predators, may be an underestimated factor helping to explain the invasiveness of H. axyridis.

A false‐positive food chain error associated with a generic predator gut content ELISA

AbstractConventional prey‐specific gut content ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assays are useful for identifying predators of insect pests in nature. However, these assays are prone to yielding certain types of food chain errors. For instance, it is possible that prey remains can pass through the food chain as the result of a secondary predator (hyperpredator) consuming a primary predator that had previously consumed the pest. If so, the pest‐specific assay will falsely identify the secondary predator as the organism providing the biological control services to the ecosystem. Recently, a generic gut content ELISA was designed to detect protein‐marked prey remains. That assay proved to be less costly, more versatile, and more reliable at detecting primary predation events than a prey‐specific PCR assay. This study examines the chances of obtaining a ‘false positive’ food chain error with the generic ELISA. Data revealed that the ELISA was 100% accurate at detecting protein‐marked Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) remains in the guts of two (true) primary predators, Hippodamia convergens Guérin‐Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Collops vittatus (Say) (Coleoptera: Melyridae). However, there was also a high frequency (70%) false positives associated with hyperpredators, Zelus renardii Kolenati (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), that consumed a primary predator that possessed protein‐marked L. hesperus in its gut. These findings serve to alert researchers that the generic ELISA, like the PCR assay, is susceptible to food chain errors.

Extending the "Ecology of Fear" Beyond Prey: Reciprocal Nonconsumptive Effects Among Competing Aphid Predators.

Nonconsumptive effects of predators on prey are well known, but similar effects among competing predators are not. Aphidophagous insect larvae are notorious for cannibalism and intraguild predation, as they compete for aggregated but ephemeral prey. We tested for indirect effects of competitors on the development of Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer and Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and a green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), with all larvae reared on eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Control larvae were reared singly, while treatment larvae were reared pairwise, with either a conspecific or heterospecific, in partitioned Petri dishes that allowed the passage of chemical cues. Larvae of C. maculata, a dietary generalist, appeared stressed by the presence of competing larvae, whether con- or heterospecific, and suffered fitness costs (longer pupation times, lower male adult mass). In contrast, H. convergens and C. carnea, both aphid specialists, responded to competing larvae with accelerated development, and without any apparent costs in terms of adult size or reproductive performance. Adult C. carnea in some treatments were heavier than solitary controls, suggesting a higher consumption rate by the induced phenotype, and those exposed to H. convergens began oviposition earlier. Thus, the phenotypes induced in the specialized aphid predators were adaptive for development in aphid colonies, whereas that induced in the generalist was not. These results indicate that nonconsumptive effects are not simply a vertical force acting on prey, but can also impact conspecific and heterospecific competitors on the same trophic level.

Coccinellid Predators of Aphid and Their Phylogenetic Analysis Using COI Gene Sequences

An extensive survey of aphid predatory Coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was conducted in Jahangirnagar University campus, Savar during October 2014 to March 2016. Total nine ladybird beetles viz, Adalia bipunctata, Coccinella septempunctata, Coccinella transversalis, Cycloneda munda, Harmonia axyridis, Hippodamia convergens, Micraspis discolor, Scymnus nebulosus, Sticholotis sp. were identified as predators of aphid. Among them, Micraspis discolor was most abundant predator. Biology and bio-control potential of M. discolor was studied in laboratory condition on bean infesting aphid (Aphis fabae). The maximum predation was 102±1.83 observed in 4th instar larvae of M. discolor. Along with biological study, phylogenetic relationship of ladybird beetles was constructed based on mitochondrial COI gene. Out of nine identified coccinellids, five species showed more conserve region than the rest in alignment. The interspecific genetic distance ranges for nine beetles were very low (0.15-0.24). Higher interspecific genetic diversity recorded for H. axyridis. The phylogenetic tree was created and analyzed using both Neighbour Joining and Maximum likelihood methods to define the origin and evolutionary relationships of the species. Molecular analysis demonstrated that evolution of these species has been occurred from a common ancestor. Such study of ladybird beetles would be helpful in biological control program of aphid pest. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(3): 408-416

Potential for Sulfoxaflor to Improve Conservation Biological Control of Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Soybean.

Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, is one of the most important insect pests of soybean in the north central United States. Management of A. glycines currently relies on applications of broad-spectrum insecticides. However, broad-spectrum insecticides can negatively impact the natural enemies associated with aphids. Selective insecticides, on the other hand, are promising control tactics for reducing the negative impact of insecticide applications. Here, we compared the effects of sulfoxaflor (a new selective insecticide) and broad-spectrum insecticides on A. glycines and predators in a two-year field experiment. We sampled A. glycines and aphid predator populations using visual whole-plant inspection. In addition, sweep-net sampling was performed to monitor predator populations. To evaluate the toxicity of the insecticides on predator populations, laboratory bioassays were performed on Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, Orius insidiosus (Say), and Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister). Field results showed that sulfoxaflor was as effective as the broad-spectrum insecticide in suppressing soybean aphid populations and was less impactful on predator populations. The laboratory bioassays showed that sulfoxaflor was moderately harmful to O. insidiosus, harmless to slightly harmful to H. convergens, and harmless to C. rufilabris These studies suggest that sulfoxaflor holds promise for improving integration of chemical and biological controls for A. glycines management.

English

The effects of intercropping of Brassicaceae with coriander (Coriandrum sativum), dill (Anethum graveolens), African marigold (Tagetes erecta) and calendula (Calendula officinalis) on the abundance, species richness and diversity of predators and parasitoids of Lipaphis erysimi have been assessed. The numbers of aphids, parasitized aphids and natural enemies were determined during two consecutive phases. The first period comprised the vegetative phase of companion plants up to the onset of flowering and the development of kale up to the start of harvesting, while the second period encompassed the late flowering of companion plants up to senescence and the complete harvesting phase of kale. The establishment of L. erysimi and its natural enemies during the first period was enhanced by the climatic conditions and the additional nutritional resources offered by companion plants. Over the complete 13 week period, the abundance of natural enemies in kale intercropped with African marigold, calendula, coriander and dill increased by factors of 3.1, 2.1, 2.0 and 1.6, respectively, compared with the kale monoculture, while species richness increased by 1.8-fold in kale/African marigold intercrop and by a factor of 2.7 in the other treatments. The predominant predators were Syrphidae larvae and Hippodamia convergens whereas the predominant parasitoid was Diaeretiella rapae. The diversity of natural enemies was similar in all crops owing to the high proportion of syrphids in relation to the other groups of insects. The improved resources offered by companion plants can be exploited in the conservative biological control of insect pests. Key words: Conservation biological control, natural enemies, insect seasonality, Hemiptera, Aphididae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Lipaphis erysimi, abundance, richness, Syrphidae, ladybird, kale

Wanted dead or alive: Scavenging versus predation by three insect predators

Many generalist insect predators engage in facultative scavenging. If an apparent predator frequently consumes dead prey instead of live prey then the biological control services provided by that predator may be overestimated. The use of unique protein markers on live and dead prey of the same species followed by gut content analysis of the predators is an effective method to distinguish between scavenging and predation events. The frequency of predation and scavenging on third instar Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae) prey by Collops vittatus (Coleoptera: Melyridae), Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) was measured using rabbit IgG and chicken IgG markers. Predators and rabbit IgG-marked dead (cadaver) and chicken IgG-marked live L. hesperus were placed on or adjacent to cotton plants enclosed in small cages for 6h. The plants were then searched for all predators and uneaten prey and examined for the presence of the two proteins by IgG-specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The gut analyses revealed that scavenging was more prevalent than predation and that all three predators were facultative scavengers. In addition, direct visual observations of the predators in the cages and the number of C. carnea that went missing during the study suggested that C. vittatus and/or H. convergens were engaging in intraguild predation on C. carnea. When combined with a standard caging procedure the immunomarking procedure used here proved useful for distinguishing scavenging from predation events, which is not possible when using conventional prey-specific ELISA and PCR assays.

OCURRENCIA ESTACIONAL DE LAS PRINCIPALES ESPECIES DE COCCINELLIDAE DEPREDADORAS DE Taxoptera citricida EM CITRICOS

OCURRENCIA ESTACIONAL DE LAS PRINCIPALES ESPECIES DE COCCINELLIDAE DEPREDADORAS DE Taxoptera citricida EM CITRICOS