Predaceous Ladybird Beetles Research Articles

Relative abundance of predaceous ladybird beetle in cabbage field at various location of Purvanchal Uttar Pradesh

Relative abundance of predaceous ladybird beetle in cabbage field at various location of Purvanchal Uttar Pradesh

Antennal morphology and sensilla of the predaceous ladybirds, Menochilus sexmaculatus and Propylea dissecta

Menochilus sexmaculatus and Propylea dissecta (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are predaceous ladybird beetles with immense biological control potential. The morphology of the antennae of the adults along with the diversity and distribution of sensilla were investigated using a scanning electron microscope as they are the main sensory organs involved in chemical communication, thermo-reception, materecognition, gustation, etc. The antennae of males and females in both species were clavate and consisted of three parts: scape, pedicel and a 9-segmented flagellum. The antennae of male and female P. dissecta were significantly longer than those of M. sexmaculatus despite their overall body size being smaller, probably due to the much longer F9 flagellomere in P. dissecta. Antennae of female ladybirds of both species exhibited sexual dimorphism in being longer than those of males. Scape was longer than other antennal parts in both species of ladybirds. There was a great diversity of sensilla with most of them on the ninth-flagellomere. We identified nine types of sensillum: chaetica, trichoidea, basiconica, Bohm bristles, campaniformia, placoidea, coeloconica, sporangia and styloconica. Coeloconica were restricted to flagellomere F8 in male P. dissecta and female M. sexmaculatus, respectively, indicating sexual dimorphism and male-related functions of this sensillum.

DIVERSITY OF PREDACEOUS COCCINELLID BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) IN UTTARAKHAND, NORTH INDIA

A field survey was conducted to explore the diversity of predaceous ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) by sampling adults and larvae from five geographical habitats of Uttarakhand, North India. As a result, eighteen predaceous ladybird beetle species were identified belonging to 15 genera and 3 subfamilies: Chilocorinae, Coccinellinae, and Scymninae. These species were: Platynaspis saundersi, Adalia hexaspilota, Alloneda dodecaspilota, Calvia albida, Menochilus sexmaculatus, Coccinella septempunctata, Coccinella transversalis, Harmonia eucharis, Harmonia sedecimnotata; Hippodamia variegata, Illeis cincta, Illeis confusa, Micraspis discolor, Oenopia sauzeti, Propylea dissecta; Propylea luteopustulata; Palaeoneda auriculata and Scymnus posticalis. Of these, six species ladybird beetles are the first time reported from Uttarakhand. Their distinctive characters, distribution, host plant-prey range, active period, and ecological importance have been described. A few of these species may be potentially utilized as biological agents to control many phytophagous insect pests of agriculture and horticulture crops. A disparity was observed in the ladybird-abundance, as both the number of individuals of ladybirds and their frequency in the population differed significantly. The dominance of a few ladybird beetles, particularly C. septempunctata, M. sexmaculatus, C. transversalis and H. variegata was confirmed by the low value of Simpson’s Dominance Index (0.1903) further indicating the disparity in the populations of different ladybird species in a community

Mating behaviour of the predaceous ladybird, Harmonia dimidiata

We studied the mating behaviour of the predaceous ladybird beetle, Harmonia dimidiata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The courtship behaviour of the male involves the secretion from the tibio-femoral joints of its hind-legs of yellow coloured reflex blood containing the alkaloid harmonine, which is usually the first line of defence of this ladybird. In this case, this reflex blood also functions as a nuptial gift from the male, which is edible and facilitates mating. The amount of reflex blood offered as a nuptial gift decreases with each subsequent mating. Mating in H. dimidiata was prolonged and initially increased before subsequently decreasing with each subsequent mating. This information could be useful for the mass rearing of this species in the laboratory.

Unraveling the Roles of Solitary and Social Web-Making Spiders in Perennial Ecosystems: Influence on Pests and Beneficials

The results show that the orb-weaver spiders, Neoscona theisi and Cyrtophora citricola, occurred in both guava and citrus agroecosystems, and their prey primarily comprised a wide diversity of insect pests. In contrast, the sheet web-constructing social spider, Stegodyphus sarasinorum, occurred only in the citrus agroecosystem and preyed mainly on the beneficial insects, particularly the pollinators, including the Asian honeybee, Apis cerana, along with the predaceous ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, damselfly, Agriocnemis femina, and the ant, Camponotus compressus. Field observations revealed that the beneficial insects caught and captured by the social spiders comprised mainly the flower-visiting insects of ornamental and weed plants growing in the vicinity of the fruit trees. N. theisi preyed predominantly on pests of paddy (Nephotettix nigropictus, Oxya nitidula), wheat (Rhopalosiphum padi), citrus (Papilio demoleus) and guava (Bactrocera dorsalis) and to a lesser extent on damselflies, houseflies, and ants. C. citricola with smaller orb webs preyed upon N. nigropictus, R. padi, M. domestica, C. septempunctata, and C. compressus. Except the guava pest, B. dorsalis, the pests of paddy and wheat from the infested crops cultivated in the nearby ~ 500-m distant located farm were attracted by the streetlights and were preyed upon by the arboreal spiders. The results highlight the significant role of orb web spiders in the suppression of insect pests of crops and also provide direct evidence of the negative role of social spiders as predators of the Asian honeybee, A. cerana, and other beneficial insects.

Genetics and selective breeding of variation in wing truncation in a flightless aphid control agent

AbstractAugmentative biological control by predaceous ladybird beetles can be improved by using flightless morphs, which have longer residence times on the host plants. The two‐spot ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is used for the biological control of aphids in greenhouses and on urban trees. Flightlessness due to truncated wings occurs at very low frequency in some natural populations of A. bipunctata. Pure‐breeding strains of this 'wingless' genotype of A. bipunctata can easily be obtained in the laboratory. Such strains have not been commercialized yet due to concerns about their reduced fitness compared to wild‐type strains, which renders mass production more expensive. Wingless strains exhibit, however, wide intra‐population phenotypic variation in the extent of wing truncation which is related to fitness traits. We here use classical quantitative genetic techniques to study the heritability and genetic architecture of variation in wing truncation in a wingless strain of A. bipunctata. Split‐families reared at one of two temperatures revealed strong family‐by‐temperature interaction: heritability was estimated as 0.64 ± 0.09 at 19 °C and 0.29 ± 0.06 at 29 °C. Artificial selection in opposite directions at 21 °C demonstrated that the degree of wing truncation can be altered within a few generations resulting in wingless phenotypes without any wing tissue (realized h2 = 0.72), as well as those with minimal truncations (realized h2 = 0.61) in two replicates. The latter lines produced more than twice as many individuals. This indicates that selective breeding of wing truncation may be exploited to improve mass rearing of flightless strains of A. bipunctata for commercial biological control. Our work illustrates that cryptic variation can also be a source for the selective breeding of natural enemies.

Study on the Effects of Multiple Matings in Coccinella transversalis for its Behaviour and Reproduction

The evolution and maintenance of multiple mating (repeated mating or polyandry) in predaceous ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an adaptive puzzle; since a single ejaculate of male often provides enough sperm to female for her lifetime egg production. Despite numerous studies on multiple mating evaluating reproductive attributes, there are negligible studies that investigated changes in behavioural patterns in ladybirds during multiple mating. In the present study, effects of multiple mating on mating behavioural pattern of males and reproductive attributes of females have been assessed using Coccinella transversalis as an experimental ladybird species. Results revealed that during copulation behaviour, time for the commencement of mating, latent period, wriggling movement duration, number of bouts and mating duration decreased with increase in number of mating; whereas interval between successive bouts increased significantly. Moreover, fecundity and egg viability of females increased with increase in number of mating.

The role of Perilla frutescens flowers on fitness traits of the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis

Predaceous ladybird beetles are known to consume alternative foods from flowers, especially when prey is scarce. Flower-rich semi-natural habitats in agroecosystems generally host a diversity of natural enemies, including predaceous ladybird beetles, suggesting that the availability of flowers may have a positive role in their fitness traits. In this study, we test whether feeding on flowers of Perilla frutescens (Lamiaceae) increases longevity and fecundity in Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The longevity of H. axyridis females and males fed with five flowers was significantly greater than those fed with one flower and in the control group (no food), although the provision of flowers had no positive effect on the increase of body weight in males and females. The number of eggs and oviposition frequency in H. axyridis fed with flowers plus prey, as well as with prey only, were significantly larger than those fed with only flowers, whereas no significant difference was observed between individuals fed with the mixed diet and those with only prey. However, on the first day of the diet assignment, the number of eggs from individuals with the mixed diet was significantly higher than of those with only prey and those with only flowers. The results show that flowers of P. frutescens, mixed with prey, have a positive effect on H. axyridis survival and early reproduction, suggesting that flowers may play an important role in increasing fitness in H. axyridis. The possibility of P. frutescens sown in fields to support populations of the predator toward conservation biological control is discussed.

Foraging behaviour of predaceous ladybird beetles: a review

We review the foraging behaviour of predaceous ladybirds in the light of current knowledge. Ladybirds should forage optimally to maximise their resources; however, they are limited – among other things – by their poor visual acuity. Ladybird foraging behaviour includes location of the habitat of its prey, location of prey and prey-selection. Chemical cues are important in locating the habitats of their prey. This is further driven by volatiles or semiochemicals emitted by injured plants, particularly in response to attack by herbivores. Various chemicals induce positive electroantennographic responses in ladybirds that guide them to prey sites. Honeydew secreted by aphids along with alarm pheromones or kairomones act as secondary chemical cues that narrow the search from extensive to intensive and help in prey location. Visual cues further aid prey-location and enable foraging adults to locate areas with patchy or abundant prey. Thereafter, ladybirds select their prey, which starts with random attacks that result in prey selection in terms of size and palatability. Prey selection seems to be host plant driven, i.e. aphids sequester host plant chemicals, which are imbibed by ladybirds. This is evident from the fact that nutritious prey cultured on toxic host plants are usually less preferred or rejected. Foraging ladybirds, especially larvae, can perceive ladybird footprints or odours that deter them from foraging. The above information could be useful in biocontrol programmes in which foraging ladybirds are manipulated by using chemicals as attractants or rearing aphids on nutritious host plants.

Inter-Specific Relationship of Size and Walking Speed in Predaceous Ladybirds (Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Inter-specific relationships of size and walking speed were examined in five species of predaceous ladybird beetles of aphid prey from different habitats. Lengths of legs, weight and volume of body, and walking speed varied significantly among the five species of different sizes that were reared on their preferred prey food in uniform growth conditions. The species are Menochilus sexmaculata, Coccinella transversalis, Anisolemnia dilatata, Micraspis discolor and Scymnus sp. Lengths of legs and body sizes showed similar growth rates across the five species (isometry), but the giant ladybird species showed significantly higher positive allometry in body volume (allometric coefficient, α = 6.66) and significantly lower negative allometry in walking speed relative to body weight (α = 0.95) when compared to other species (α = 3.54). The unique response by the giant ladybird species in body form and speed may be attributed to its foraging habitat of perennial bamboo forests with large aggregations of non-winged aphid food which seem to favour the evolution of higher body volume and slower speed for giant size when compared to species of smaller sizes which usually forage for short-lived aphid colonies in seasonal and annual habitats of crop plants and weeds. Evidently, size (weight and volume) and speed matter in the evolution of life history attributes of predaceous ladybird beetles.

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.

Sequestration and Transfer of Cry Entomotoxin to the Eggs of a Predaceous Ladybird Beetle.

In the past 10 years, sequestration of Cry toxins and transfer to offspring has been indicated in three insect species in laboratory studies. This work directly demonstrates the sequestration and intergenerational transfer of Cry1F by the parents of the aphidophagous coccinellid predator, Harmonia axyridis, to its offspring. Recently emerged adults (10 individual couples/cage/treatment) were exposed during 20 days to aphids (100 Myzus persicae each day) that fed on a holidic diet containing 20 μg/mL Cry1F (and a control-group). Egg batches and neonate larvae were monitored daily, and counted and weighed for immunodetection of Cry1F by ELISA. At the end of the bioassay, the parents were weighed and analyzed by ELISA. Cry1F was detected in the offspring, both eggs and neonate larvae, of exposed H. axyridis adults. On average the neonate larvae had 60% of the Cry1F concentration of the eggs from the same egg batch. The Cry1F concentration in the adults was positively correlated with the concentration in their eggs. These three results provided independent evidence of transfer to offspring. No detrimental effects of Cry1F were observed on the age of first reproduction, total number of eggs laid per female, age-specific fecundity, egg development time, hatching rate, or fertility rate. The occurrence and generality of intergenerational transfer of Cry toxins should be investigated in the field to determine its potential ecological implications.

Age dependent mate choice influences reproductive and progeny attributes in aphidophagous ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Despite the many studies on age based mate choice in insects, the question of how age influences mate choice in predaceous ladybird beetles is still unexplored. The present study evaluates age based mate choice in two sympatric aphidophagous ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata L. and Coccinella transversalis Fab., in terms of mating behaviour (latent period, number of bouts, bout interval and duration of wriggling movements and mating), fecundity, egg viability and the development and survival of their progeny. Results revealed that middle aged (30-40 days) mates were preferred by young (10-15 days post-eclosion), middle aged (30-40 days) and old (45-55 days) individuals of both sexes. Mating behaviour and egg viability differed significantly with male age whereas fecundity, offspring development and survival differed significantly with female age. The shortest latent periods and bout intervals, highest numbers of bouts, longest durations of wriggling movements and mating, and maximum egg viability were recorded for middle aged males whereas fecundity, percentage pupation and adult emergence of offspring were highest and durations of immature development were shortest for middle aged females. Thus, the present study indicates that middle aged individuals of C. septempunctata and C. transversalis are most preferred as mates as they have the highest reproductive output and produce the fittest offspring.

Effect of parental ageing on offspring developmental and survival attributes in an aphidophagous ladybird, Cheilomenes sexmaculata

AbstractThe present study is the first attempt to investigate the effect of parental ageing of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) on total developmental period, developmental rate, adult weight on emergence, longevity, egg to adult survival and age‐specific survivorship of the offspring. Young parents (10–20 day old) produced offspring with the shortest total developmental period, highest development rate, highest weight on emergence, greater longevity and highest survival. Age‐specific survivorship of the offspring of younger parents declined later than the offspring of middle (30–40 day old) and old (50–60 day old) aged parents. This study would help in understanding the effect of parental ageing on future generations of predaceous ladybird beetles and would be helpful in designing mass multiplication programme of the bioagent, C. sexmaculata, in the laboratory.

Biodiversity of Predaceous Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Kashmir

An extensive survey for predaceous ladybird beetles was conducted in Srinagar district of Kashmir, India, over a period of 6 months (April - September) during 2006-2007. A total of 5525 specimens of coccinellids was collected from 12 ecosystems, viz., apple, pear, plum, cherry, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, blue pine, willow, rose and Euonymus during 2006 and 2007. Out of 15 identified species of ladybird beetles, 11 belonged to the subfamily Coccinellinae [ Callicaria superba (Mulsant), Harmonia dimidiata (Fabricius), Harmonia eucharis (Mulsant), Aiolocaria hexaspilota (Hope), Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, Calvia punctata (Mulsant), Adalia tetraspilota (Hope), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Oenopia conglobata (Linnaeus), Propylea luteopustulata (Mulsant), and Menochilus sexmaculat (Fabricius)] and four belonged to the subfamily Chilocorinae [ Platynaspis saundersi Crotch, Chilocorus infernalis Mulsant, Chilocorus rubidus Hope and Priscibrumus uropygialis (Mulsant)].

Biodiversity of Predaceous Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Kashmir

An extensive survey for predaceous ladybird beetles was conducted in Srinagar district of Kashmir, India, over a period of 6 months (April - September) during 2006-2007. A total of 5525 specimens of coccinellids was collected from 12 ecosystems, viz., apple, pear, plum, cherry, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, blue pine, willow, rose and Euonymus during 2006 and 2007. Out of 15 identified species of ladybird beetles, 11 belonged to the subfamily Coccinellinae [ Callicaria superba (Mulsant), Harmonia dimidiata (Fabricius), Harmonia eucharis (Mulsant), Aiolocaria hexaspilota (Hope), Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, Calvia punctata (Mulsant), Adalia tetraspilota (Hope), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Oenopia conglobata (Linnaeus), Propylea luteopustulata (Mulsant), and Menochilus sexmaculat (Fabricius)] and four belonged to the subfamily Chilocorinae [ Platynaspis saundersi Crotch, Chilocorus infernalis Mulsant, Chilocorus rubidus Hope and Priscibrumus uropygialis (Mulsant)].

Suitability of different artificial diets for development and survival of stages of the predaceous ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa

The ladybug Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important natural enemy of various pests. The potential of rearing it on 17 different diets was evaluated. The percentage of E. connexa adults was higher when its larvae received only eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) after freezing for 1 day (92.5%) or combined in artificial diets with honey and water (82.5% to 100.0%). The viability from larvae to adult was 72.5% with eggs of A. kuehniella (after 1 day’s freezing) plus an artificial diet based on pet food. No adults of E. connexa were obtained with artificial diets as a stand-alone food source. The duration of the larval period to adult of this predator was longer, but with low viability, with only A. kuehniella eggs (after 6 months’ freezing) or with eggs + artificial diets. Eggs of A. kuehniella (after 1 day’s freezing) supplied separately or along with artificial diets were more appropriate to rear E. connexa and both diets can be used for mass rearing of this natural enemy.

Searching and Feeding Efficiency of a Ladybeetle, Coccinella transversalis Fabricius on Aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover

Searching and feeding efficiency of a predaceous ladybird beetle, Coccinella transversalis Fabricius was investigated for brinjal aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover at varying predator and prey densities. Rate of prey consumption per predator decreased with increase in the number of predators, due to mutual interference (0.90) amongst the larvae. Searching efficiency (area of discovery) of fourth instar larvae decreased from 0.1846 to 0.0779 when one, two, four and eight predators were exposed to a constant prey density (200). Prey consumption by a single larva increased with increase in prey densities but the percent prey consumption decreased. Maximum percent prey consumption was noticed at the lowest prey density (50) and minimum at highest prey density (800). Searching efficiency of a fourth instar larva decreased from 1.7263 to 0.4727 with increase of prey density from 50 to 800 individuals of A. gossypii . The predator-prey ratio of 1:50 may be considered optimal for the augmentative release of C. transversalis for the biocontrol of A. gossypii.

Population Genetics and Gene Variation in the Predator, Coleomegilla maculata (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

An electrophoretic study of 23 allozyme loci in 15 populations of the predaceous ladybird beetle Coleomegilla maculata (De Geer) revealed extensive genetic polymorphism occurring as low-frequency allelic variation averaging four alleles per locus. Although all loci except GOT-2 demonstrated variation, only 69% of the loci were polymorphic when the rare allele occurred at >5% frequency. The average observed population heterozygosity index demonstrates a north-south cline with higher allelic variation associated with both lower latitudes and corn-sorghum crop types. Nei's genetic distance values suggests high genetic identity among all populations, with some clustering based on geographic locale. We conclude this ladybird beetle is genetically very variable, and that some of this variation is maintained by selection.

Biological Control of Agricultural Pests

Research Article| April 01 1955 Biological Control of Agricultural Pests Richard L. Doutt Richard L. Doutt Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar The American Biology Teacher (1955) 17 (4): 134–136. https://doi.org/10.2307/4438698 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Richard L. Doutt; Biological Control of Agricultural Pests. The American Biology Teacher 1 April 1955; 17 (4): 134–136. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/4438698 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentThe American Biology Teacher Search This content is only available via PDF. Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.