Ecology of two‐spotted ladybird, Adalia bipunctata: a review

Abstract

Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus) is a generalist aphidophagous ladybird having a wide prey range. It exhibits complex polymorphism. We reviewed the information on its general characteristics, polymorphism, sexual activity, foraging behaviour, food range and prey suitability, growth and development, heterospecific interactions including natural enemies, and its biocontrol potential. Although a poor biocontrol agent (only successful against aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea in Switzerland), it was used in the past as a good model to test various hypotheses and models facilitating ecological understanding in insects. In the present review, the empirical data are interpreted and inferences drawn and a checklist of its prey is provided.

Effects of Activated Bt Transgene Products (Cry1Ab, Cry3Bb) on Immature Stages of the Ladybird Adalia bipunctata in Laboratory Ecotoxicity Testing

“…A. bipunctata is a polyphagous ladybird which consumes a range of different aphid species, but their suitability as prey differs from species to species. The use of coccids and diaspids as alternative prey was also reported as well as the consumption of pollen in the absence of aphids (Omkar and Pervez 2005). Under laboratory conditions, aphids feeding on Cry1Ab-expressing maize (event Bt11) were shown not to incorporate the Bt toxin (Table 3), because it is, apparently, not transported in the phloem of these plants (Raps et al 2001;Dutton et al 2002).…”

“…Probably most, if not all, species also consume other insects and plant material, such as pollen (Lundgren et al 2004(Lundgren et al , 2005. The two-spotted ladybird, Adalia bipunctata (L.), is an abundant polyphagous coccinellid species in many ecosystems in Europe (Hodek and Honěk 1996;Omkar and Pervez 2005). It has often been used for ecotoxicological studies with pesticides and was, therefore, selected for this study as a test species with regard to the risk assessment of transgenic crop plants in Europe.…”

Effect of temperature on the functional response of Adalia bipunctata to Myzus persicae

“…The two-spotted ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata (L.), is a common natural enemy of aphids in Europe and Central Asia (Mills 1979;Majerus 1994) and has been considered a potential biological control agent in different agro-ecosystems (Majerus 1994;Hodek and Honek 1996;Dixon 2000;Omkar and Pervez 2005). Although some studies have investigated the functional response of A. bipunctata (Mills 1979(Mills , 1982Hemptinne et al 1996), none of them have addressed the effect of temperature on the functional response of the predator.…”

Aphid-plant interactions affect the suitability of Myzus spp. as prey for the two spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…Use of this species as a biological control agent on various agricultural crops is now widespread (Omkar & Pervez, 2005). In Iran, A. bipunctata is one of the most common coccinellid predators in fruit and nut crops, e.g., pistachio gardens (Mehrnejad et al, 2010).…”

“…In Iran, A. bipunctata is one of the most common coccinellid predators in fruit and nut crops, e.g., pistachio gardens (Mehrnejad et al, 2010). A substantial literature exists on the relative suitablity of different aphid species as prey for A. bipunctata (see Omkar & Pervez, 2005), but little is known of how host plants may affect this suitability (e.g., Francis et al, 2001a, b). Both the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the tobacco aphid, M. persicae nicotianae (Blackman & Eastop), are known to support both the development and reproduction of A. bipunctata (Lommen et al, 2008;Jalali et al, 2009) and thus qualify as "complete" prey (Michaud, 2005).…”