Asymmetric intraguild predation of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on a native Coccinellidae guild

Abstract

Harmonia axyridis is an exotic species that can cause serious impacts on native biodiversity in areas where it is introduced to act as a biological control agent. This predator is often involved with intraguild predation, in most cases with aphids predators. Here, we report the results of experiments designed to understand the outcome of the invasion of H. axyridis on native coccinellid aphidophagous guilds using intraguild predation as a theoretical framework. Tests were conducted to determine the interactions between 1st and 4th instars larvae and H. axyridis adults, with Cycloneda sanguinea, Cycloneda pulchella, Eriopis connexa and Hippodamia convergens larvae, as well as eggs predation rate. Two treatments were used: absence and presence of food, Cinara atlantica. The results showed that 1st and 4th instars larvae and H. axyridis adults are able to prey on larvae and eggs of four Coccinellidae species analyzed, and also their own eggs, showing that this exotic species is a dominant predator in this guild of aphidophagous coccinellids. Adding to these results, studies are recommended, especially the monitoring of these species in the field in the long run, reporting their abundance and diversity as well as their behavior and impact within aphidophagous guilds, especially in Coccinellidae species.

Cannibalism and intraguild predation between endemic and introduced coccidophagous lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…2013; Khan & Yoldas 2018; Castro‐Guedes et al . 2020). This indicates that lady beetle egg predation is ubiquitous in the environment, hence, driving evolution for egg chemical defences.…”

Interactions Among Native and Non-Native Predatory Coccinellidae Influence Biological Control and Biodiversity

“…Field studies commonly track the relative abundance of native and non-native coccinellid species and discuss the potential displacement of native species ( Table 2 ) (e.g., Turnock et al 2003 , Alyokhin and Sewell 2004 , Evans 2004 , Brown and Roy 2018 ). Numerous controlled experiments in the laboratory have documented IGP with preferences for immobile stages, with examples of symmetric and asymmetric interactions among native and non-native species ( Lucas 2005 , 2012 ; Pell et al 2008 ; Ware and Majerus 2008 ; de Castro-Guedes et al 2020 ; Rasekh and Osawa 2020 ). IGP results in not only an energy gain by the IGP predator, but simultaneously reduces competition for resources among the predatory species and thus can trigger complex population dynamics ( Polis et al 1989 , Fonseca et al 2017 ).…”

“…Using a variety of techniques, numerous studies have documented IGP among native and non-native Coccinellidae in the field, frequently—but not always—favoring H. axyridis (see review by Pell et al 2008 , Hautier et al 2011 , Rank-van den Berg et al 2012 , de Castro-Guedes et al 2020 ) ( Table 3 ). However, the importance of IGP has been questioned ( Kindlmann and Houdkova 2006 , Hemptinne et al 2012 ) and its importance may vary among regions and habitats For example, in a caged tree study with sufficient aphid prey, H .…”

Exotic predators are not better biocontrol agents: the harlequin ladybird is not the most voracious in Mexico

“…Natural enemies are considered a great biocontrol tool to diminish arthropod pest populations, but while generalist predators are known to reduce pest numbers significantly, there is still an increasing need to understand how these exotic predators influence the communities where they are introduced ( Symondson, Sunderland & Greenstone, 2002 ; Kenis et al, 2009 ). Recent studies throughout the world have found negative effects upon native Coccinellid communities ( Mirande et al, 2015 ; Grez et al, 2016 ; Brown & Roy, 2018 ; de Castro-Guedes, de Almeida & Moura, 2020 ). For example, in Europe, harlequin ladybirds are recognised as at least partially responsible for the population decline of the two-spotted ladybird ( Adalia bipunctata ), following the transfer of microsporidia carried by harlequin ladybirds ( Vogel, Schmidtberg & Vilcinskas, 2017 ).…”

“…In cases when a mixed approach is used, insecticides may have negative consequences for both native and exotic predator insects ( Benelli et al, 2015 ; Dai et al, 2020 ; Rizwan et al, 2021 ). Using exotic predators as biocontrol agents could result in intraguild predation and/or competition, which may cancel out the positive effects or even result in negative effects on the diversity of native natural enemies present in the area ( De Clercq, Mason & Babendreier, 2011 ; Mirande et al, 2015 ; de Castro-Guedes, de Almeida & Moura, 2020 ). Invasive species are considered the fourth main cause of biodiversity loss ( IPBES, 2019 ).…”