Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetle Research Articles

Far-reaching benefits of the consumption of conspecific eggs by neonate larvae of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): a case study on an artificial diet

BackgroundThe consumption of conspecific eggs by neonate larvae is a common behavior in aphidophagous coccinellids. However, it is still unknown what far-reaching benefits can be brought to the artificial diet-reared cannibals and whether the age of eggs and/or ovipositing parents can affect the cannibals’ fitness. Here, the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was used as a research model because it exhibits much stronger cannibalism behavior than other beetles. Nine types of eggs, varying according to parental age at oviposition and egg age per se, were respectively provided as foods for H. axyridis neonate larvae until they developed to 2nd instar. After that, the larvae were fed on an artificial diet and whether egg consumption by neonate larvae had far-reaching benefits was evaluated. Those larvae that directly fed on artificial diet since hatching were served as control.ResultsCompared with the control beetles, the cannibal beetles (with few exceptions) had significantly higher 2nd instar-adult survivals (61.1–75.7% vs. 34.3%) and greatly shortened 2nd instar-adult duration (22.7–24.6 days vs. 27.8 days). At adult emergence, the female cannibal beetles (with few exceptions) had significantly higher fresh weights than the control beetles (14.5–16.3 mg vs. 11.7 mg). Among the nine types of cannibals, non-significant difference was detected in almost all the measured developmental parameters.ConclusionConsumption of conspecific eggs by neonate larvae of H. axyridis had far-reaching benefits for their subsequent development on artificial diet, and neither the egg age nor parental age at oviposition affects the cannibals’ fitness. These findings provided new insights into the combined application of conspecific eggs and artificial diets in the mass rearing of coccinellids.

Repeated inversions within a pannier intron drive diversification of intraspecific colour patterns of ladybird beetles

How genetic information is modified to generate phenotypic variation within a species is one of the central questions in evolutionary biology. Here we focus on the striking intraspecific diversity of >200 aposematic elytral (forewing) colour patterns of the multicoloured Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, which is regulated by a tightly linked genetic locus h. Our loss-of-function analyses, genetic association studies, de novo genome assemblies, and gene expression data reveal that the GATA transcription factor gene pannier is the major regulatory gene located at the h locus, and suggest that repeated inversions and cis-regulatory modifications at pannier led to the expansion of colour pattern variation in H. axyridis. Moreover, we show that the colour-patterning function of pannier is conserved in the seven-spotted ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, suggesting that H. axyridis’ extraordinary intraspecific variation may have arisen from ancient modifications in conserved elytral colour-patterning mechanisms in ladybird beetles.

Quantification of Canavanine, 2-Aminoethanol, and Cyanamide in Aphis craccivora and its Host Plants, Robinia pseudoacacia and Vicia angustifolia: Effects of These Compounds on Larval Survivorship of Harmonia axyridis

The cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora that infests the black locust Robinia pseudoacacia shows toxicity to its predator, the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis. In contrast, the same aphid species that infests the common vetch, Vicia angustifolia, is suitable prey for H. axyridis larvae. Previously, it was reported that the toxicity of A. craccivora infesting R. pseudoacacia was due to canavanine and 2-aminoethanol, but there was some doubt about the toxicity of these compounds and their concentrations in the aphids. In the present study, we determined the concentrations of cyanamide, canavanine, and 2-aminoethanol in A. craccivora infesting the two host plants. In the extracts of A. craccivora that infested either of the host plants, canavanine was undetectable, and 2-aminoethanol was detected at the concentration of 3.0-4.0μg/g fresh weight. Cyanamide was detected in the extract of A. craccivora that infested R. pseudoacacia (7.7μg/g fresh weight) but not in that infesting V. angustifolia. The toxicity of canavanine, 2-aminoethanol, and cyanamide was evaluated against H. axyridis larvae in a bioassay by using an artificial diet containing these compounds at various concentrations. Cyanamide exhibited 10-100 times stronger toxicity than canavanine and 2-aminoethanol. These results indicate that the toxicity is at least partly due to cyanamide, which is present in the toxic A. craccivora that infests R. pseudoacacia but absent from the non-toxic A. craccivora that infests V. angustifolia.

감마선이 무당벌레의 생존과 발육에 미치는 영향

The effects of gamma irradiation on the survival, development, fecundity, and sex ratio of the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle (Harmonia axyridis) were investigated. A dose of more than 50 Gy dose of irradiation on eggs completely inhibited hatch, and 1st and 3rd instar larva irradiated with over 40 Gy almost died. Adverse effects of gamma irradiation over 70 Gy were also observed in the survival and development of pupae and adults. Although irradiated individuals usually survived, they had longer periods of larval and pupal development than untreated individuals. Slight female-biased sex ratios were observed in some treatments. However, sex ratio differences soon equilibrated. Generally, inherited harmful effects of gamma irradiation were observed in F1 and F2 generations. Comet tail indicating DNA damage was showed in survival individuals exposed to gamma irradiation.

Effect of long-term cold storage on the fitness of pre-wintering Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)

The multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is considered an important generalist predator that can be used as a biological control agent against Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha, Thysanoptera, and the eggs and larvae of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera. There are currently abundant natural resources of overwintering H. axyridis in Asia and North America. Given its potential as a biological control agent, methods can be developed to increase its effectiveness for pest control. The availability of an adequate cold storage method would enable the use of field-collected pre-wintering ladybirds for pest suppression in the following season. We studied the effect of cold storage (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days stored at −3, 0, 3 and 6°C) on survival, fecundity and predation in field-collected populations. The survival of both female and male ladybirds decreased significantly as storage duration increased at −3°C and 0°C. The ladybirds showed more than 80% survival when they were stored for 150 days at 3°C and 6°C. Long-term cold storage had different effects on the fecundity of H. axyridis at different temperatures. Prolonged cold storage at both 3°C and 6°C shortened pre-oviposition duration and had no adverse effect on reproductive capacity as compared to that of unstored individuals. The adults that experienced 90-day storage at 0°C had the shortest pre-oviposition duration and the largest reproductive capacity. The individuals that were stored for 150 days at 3°C consumed significantly more aphids than the unstored ones. Generally, 3–6°C is a suitable temperature for cold storage of the ladybird without any reduction in fitness. This study will help the exploitation and application of pre-wintering H. axyridis for the biological control of insect pests.

무당벌레(Harmonia axyridis ) 장내세균의 특성 및 Staphylococcus spp. 장내세균이 무당벌레의 발육에 미치는 영향

포식성 곤충인 무당벌레(Harmonia axyridis)의 소화기관 내에 서식하고 있는 장내세균을 순수 분리하여 계통학적 특성을 밝히고 이들 장내세균이 무당벌레의 발육에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 시험곤충은 전북 김제(JK), 충남 금산(CK) 그리고 충남대학교 곤충생리실험실(CI)의 무당벌레 개체군을 사용하였다. 무당벌레의 소화기관에서 장내세균 34균주를 순수분리하고 16S rRNA 유전자 염기서열을 분석하여 총 4개의 계통군으로 분류하였다. 무당벌레 소화기관에서 분리된 전체 분리균주의 약 70%가 Bacillus속과 Staphylococcus속을 포함하는 계통군이었으며, 시험 무당벌레 소화기관으로부터 공통적으로 분리되는 특징을 보였다. 분리된 장내세균 중 대표세균 18균주를 대상으로 항생제에 대한 감수성 조사를 수행한 결과, ofloxacin과 penicillin이 장내세균의 모두에게 증식을 저해하는 항생제 내성을 나타내어 시험약제로 선택하였다. 무당벌레의 먹이인 복숭아혹진딧물(Myzus persicae)과 무테두리진딧물(Lipaphis eryimi)에 ofloxacin 과 penicillin을 직접 처리하여 무당벌레를 사육하면서 번데기무게, 유충기간, 성충의 산란력, 부화율 등 생리적 특성을 항생제 무처리구와 비교한 결과 낮게 나타났다. 각 무당벌레 소화기관으로부터 공통적으로 분리된 대표 장내세균 Staphylococcus saprophyticus 가 무당벌레의 발육에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과 S. saprophyticus의 부재 시 유충기간이 길어졌으며 번데기의 무게 그리고 성충의 산란력은 감소하였다. Enterobacteria were isolated in the gut of the predacious multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, and their effects to the development of H. axyridis were examined. Populations of H. axyridis in this experiment were collected from Kimjae at Cheonbuk province (JK population), Geumsan at Chungnam province (CK population) and laboratory population at Laboratory of Insect Physiology in Chungnam National University, Daejeon. Thirty-four enterobacteria isolates were purified and isolated from the digestive tract of H. axyridis, and a total of 4 strains were classified into group by analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. About 70% of total isolates were phylogenetic groups of Bacillus genus and Staphylococcus genus, and they were commonly separated from the digestive tract of H. axyridis. After investigating their susceptibility against antibiotics with 18 representative enterobacteria isolates, ofloxacin and penicillin were selected for examination in this study of their ability to inhibit the growth of all of isolates. In order to remove the enterobacteria from the aphids, ofloxacin and penicillin were given to the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, and the turnip aphid, Lipaphis erysimi. These aphids were provided to H. axyridis as prey. The weight of pupa, developmental periods of each larval instar, the number of eggs and their hatching ratio of H. axyridis with treatment aphids were lower compared with non-treatment aphids. Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a representative enterobacteria and commonly isolated from the digestive tract of H. axyridis. In the absence of S. saprophyticus, the developmental periods of each larval instar increased; however, the weights of pupa, the number of eggs, and their hatching ratio decreased.

What has Harmonia axyridis to do with Dante's Divine Comedy

The multicoloured Asian ladybird beetle (Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773)), a former successful biological control agent in the USA and Western Europe became an invasive alien species threatening the diversity of native aphidophagous insects through competition and praying, a horticultural pest consuming various fruits and adversely affecting the wine quality and a human nuisance when occurring at high densities in buildings. Due to this dubious fame, attention has been paid to it also at national level which made inevitable to find for it a fitting name in different languages. In some cases and countries a version of the English name has been chosen however, regarding the meaning of this translated term in Hungarian, the try cannot be called fortunate. The objective of this contribution is to stress the function of common animal names in the Hungarian Sprachraum and to find a right and proper alternative with the help of etymology, mythology, classical literature, art (painting) and the experiences of Hungarian fruit and grape growers.

Influence of aphid–host plant pairs on the survivorship and development of the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle: implications for the management of vegetation in rural landscapes

AbstractAlthough the value of noncrop vegetation for biological control has been extensively studied in agricultural landscapes, there are few reports on how it functions mechanistically. When focusing on the pest control function provided by noncrop vegetation, tritrophic interactions among a predatory natural enemy, its prey, and the prey's host plant need to be examined. In Japan, the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an aphidophage, serves as a natural pest control agent in agricultural production, although the species’ introduction into Europe and North America for pest control has had a negative impact on native ecosystems. In the present study, 33 aphid–plant pairs from an agricultural landscape in the eastern Kanto region of Japan were examined experimentally for initial larval survivorship and development of H. axyridis. Significant differences were found among plant–aphid pairs with regard to these parameters. In addition, the larval survivorship of H. axyridis was not consistently determined by host plant or aphid species alone but was context‐dependently influenced by the aphid–plant combination. Some alien host plants showed positive effects on the ladybird beetle. Others, however, served as hosts for unsuitable prey species, such as the competitive alien plants Solidago canadensis L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L., which are the host plants of Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum (Olive) and Aphis craccivora Koch, respectively. These findings suggest that various noncrop plants could be managed to promote ladybird beetle populations in rural landscapes.

Insect-specific irreversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase in pests including the bed bug, the eastern yellowjacket, German and American cockroaches, and the confused flour beetle

Insecticides directed against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are facing increased resistance among target species as well as increasing concerns for human toxicity. The result has been a resurgence of disease vectors, insects destructive to agriculture, and residential pests. We previously reported a free cysteine (Cys) residue at the entrance to the AChE active site in some insects but not higher vertebrates. We also reported Cys-targeting methanethiosulfonate molecules (AMTSn), which, under conditions that spared human AChE, caused total irreversible inhibition of aphid AChE, 95% inhibition of AChE from the malaria vector mosquito ( Anopheles gambia), and >80% inhibition of activity from the yellow fever mosquito ( Aedes aegypti) and northern house mosquito ( Culex pipiens). We now find the same compounds inhibit AChE from cockroaches ( Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana), the flour beetle ( Tribolium confusum), the multi-colored Asian ladybird beetle ( Harmonia axyridis), the bed bug ( Cimex lectularius), and a wasp ( Vespula maculifrons), with IC 50 values of ∼1–11 μM. Our results support further study of Cys-targeting inhibitors as conceptually novel insecticides that may be free of resistance in a range of insect pests and disease vectors and, compared with current compounds, should demonstrate much lower toxicity to mammals, birds, and fish.

실내조건에서 무당벌레(Harmonia axyridis : Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)의 각 발육단계에 친환경농자재가 미치는 영향

무당벌레(H. axyridis)는 세계적으로 진딧물의 포식자로 널리 알려지면서 농생태계내에서 진딧물을 방제하기 위한 방제인자로 많이 사용하고 있다. 또한 국내에서는 농약의 사용을 억제하는 정부정책과 소비자의 요구 등으로 인하여 친환경농업이 확대되면서 친환경농자재들이 많이 사용되고 있다. 따라서 친환경농자재의 사용은 무당벌레에 직간접적으로 영향을 미칠 수가 있다. 살충성친환경농자재(IEFAMs)의 경우 무당벌레의 각 발육단계에 대하여 대부분 안전한 경향을 나타내고 있다. 살균성친환경농자재(FEFAM)의 경우에도 FEFAM A를 제외한 다른 종류들은 무당벌레에 대하여 영향이 적다. 토양미생물친환경농자재(EFAMSM)인 EFAMSM C와 H는 무당벌레 알의 부화율을 떨어뜨릴 수가 있으며, EFAMSM A와 F는 1령 유충에 피해를 줄 수 있는 것으로 조사되었다. 식물성추출물친환경농자재(EFAMPE)는 EFAMPE A와 D는 무당벌레 알에 치명적인 독성을 보이고 있는 것을 알 수 있다. 그 이외의 다른 조사된 농자재들은 무당벌레에 비교적 독성이 약한 것으로 평가되었다. The multicolored Asian ladybird beetle (Harmonia axyridis) has been commonly used with biological control agents for control of several kinds of aphids in agroecosystems. Also, environment friendly agricultural materials have been commonly applied in crop fields because the government held down pesticide application and environment friendly agricultures are gradually increased with consumer's desires. The multicolored Asian ladybird beetles may be directly or indirectly under the influence of environment friendly agricultural materials In crop fields. The insecticidal environment friendly agricultural materials (IEFAMs) might be saff against each developmental stage of multicolored Asian ladybird beetle. Fungicidal environment friendly agricultural materials (FEFAMs) had a miner effect to each developmental stage of multicolored Asian ladybird beetle with the exception of FEFAM A. Environment friendly agricultural materials contained useful soil microorganisms (EFAMSMs) C and H might be down the hatching rate of eggs, and EFAMSM A and F had a killing effect to 1st instar of lady beetles. Environment friendly agricultural materials contained plant extracts (EFAMPEs) A and D might be suffered effect a deathblow of egg hatching with lady beetles. Otherwise, there was a miner effect to lady beetles with the rest of tested environment friendly agricultural materials.

Toxicity of greenhouse pesticides to multicolored Asian lady beetles, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract A variety of insecticides, acaricides, and fungicides is used in greenhouses to protect plants. As predacious ladybirds are also used to control aphids, it is important to understand the effects of such pesticides on these beneficial insects. We examined the susceptibility to all developmental stages of the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), to 12 agents: four insecticides, four acaricides and four fungicides. Etofenprox and acetamiprid were highly toxic to most developmental stages, and also in the adult at 200 mg [AI]/L and 40 mg [AI]/L (recommended dosages for aphid control). Thiamethoxam caused knockdown of larvae, pupae, and adults; however, most recovered within 24 h. Imidacloprid, applied at 50 mg [AI]/L, produced LC 50 values of 30.3 and 190.2 mg [AI]/L for 3rd and 4th instars, respectively. Abamectin was highly toxic to eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult ladybirds at rates under 18.4 mg [AI]/L. However, recommended doses of other acaricides were very safe to all stages except for the egg stage of H. axyridis . The fungicide pyrazophos was highly toxic to eggs and larvae at a rate much lower than the recommended dose, while other tested fungicides were not toxic to any of the ladybird stages at rates over 1000 mg [AI]/L. Generally, the 1st and 2nd instars of H. axyridis were very sensitive to most of the tested insecticides and acaricides. Fungicides, on the other hand, were generally harmless to H. axyridis .

Unconditioned and conditioned responses to colour in the predatory coccinellid, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

We determined if mature ladybirds use colour to initially find suitable host plants. We also determined whether ladybird beetles are capable of associating characteristics such as colour with the presence of prey. Here, we show that the multicoloured Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, has a differential response to yellow compared to green colours. Naive ladybirds, of both sexes, make significantly more visits and spend more time on yellow vs. green coloured pillars. After pairing yellow and green colours with the presence or absence of aphid prey, ladybirds alter their foraging behaviour. Beetles conditioned to having food on both pillar colours exhibited the same responses as naive beetles, while beetles conditioned to only yellow or green pillars did not exhibit a preference for visiting or spending time on different colours. However, there was a trend towards females spending more time on pillar colours on which they received reinforcement, and males spending more time foraging on colours opposite to that which they were reinforced. Thus, H. axyridis is capable of responding to cues such as colour, and its foraging behaviour can be altered as a result of prior experience.

Has the Attraction of Predatory Coccinellids to Cornicle Droplets Constrained Aphid Alarm Signaling Behavior

When attacked by a predator, aphids of many species secrete cornicle droplets, containing an alarm pheromone, that results in the dispersal of nearby conspecifics. As females are parthenogenetic, alarm signaling functions to enhance the survival of clone-mates. Enigmatically, however, aphids are physically able to, but usually do not emit alarm pheromone when initially detecting a predator, but rather signal only when captured by a predator. We hypothesized that cornicle droplets may be attractive to natural enemies and result in an increased risk of predation for the signaler, thereby selecting for prudent alarm signalers. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the olfactory cues that the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis Pallas, uses to locate pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum. In choice tests, H. axyridis were attracted to odors from pea aphid colonies, whether feeding or not feeding on a host plant leaf, but were not attracted to cornicle droplets containing alarm pheromone. Further, individual pea aphids emitting cornicle droplets were not located more often or in a shorter period of time by beetles than aphids not emitting cornicle droplets. Thus, the cost of emitting early alarm signals is not prohibitively high in regards to the attraction of predators such as H. axyridis.