Effects of different wavelengths of light on the life attributes of two aphidophagous ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

The effect of different wavelengths of light, white (control; broad spectrum), blue (ca. 475 nm), yellow (ca. 570 nm) and red (ca. 650 nm), at constant intensity (195 ± 5 lux) on developmental time, reproductive and non-reproductive periods, fecundity, egg viability, prey consumption and fitness of two aphidophagous ladybirds, Cheilomenes sexmaculata and Propylea dissecta were studied. Both ladybird species consumed most aphids, developed fastest and reproduced best when kept under white light, followed by yellow, blue and red light. Fitness of both the ladybirds was highest under white and lowest under red light. There were positive correlations between prey consumption and developmental rate, and prey consumption and fecundity.

Light intensity and wavelength influence development, reproduction and locomotor activity in the predatory flower bug Orius sauteri (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

“…The equivalent suitability of white light to that of yellow and green suggests that it is not so much the perception of wavelengths longer or shorter than yellow-green that delays development, but rather the absence of wavelengths within this optimal range. Nevertheless, previous studies have demonstrated negative effects of short wavelength light on mating behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster (Jacobs 1960;Sakai et al 2002) and on feeding behaviour in both Diptera (Lunau and Wacht 1997), and Lepidoptera (White et al 1994), whereas red light has been shown to impede development in coccinellids (Omkar et al 2005). …”

“…This might result in lower rates of prey consumption and thus account for the negative effect on reproduction. Both red and blue light were shown to cause erratic reproductive activity in two species of Coccinellidae (Omkar et al 2005).…”

“…In particular, light intensity and wavelength are known to influence biological and physiological processes in insects (Bishop 1969;Manuwoto and Scriber 1985;Sakai et al 2002). Predators and parasitoids have received substantial attention in this regard because of the need to understand photic influences on biological control outcomes (e.g., Omkar et al 2005;Malaquias et al 2010) and the suitability of lighting regimes for mass rearing natural enemies for augmentative biological control applications (Chambers 1977). For example, the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Aphidiinae) orients preferentially to green light as opposed to blue-green or yellow-green, ostensibly because of the association of aphid hosts with green foliage (Goff and Nault 1984).…”

Slow and fast development in ladybirds: occurrence, effects and significance

“…Propylea dissecta has prominent sexual dimorphism in its pronotal pattern (Omkar and Pervez, 2000) which allows easy distinction between the two sexes thus making it a good model for reproductive studies. Both are generalist ladybirds with Aphis craccivora Koch being most suited for development and reproduction amongst a number of aphid species (Omkar and Bind, 2004;Omkar and Mishra, 2005).…”

“…Semyanov, 2001;Pervez and Omkar, 2004;Nasution, 2007), prey quality (e.g. Kalaskar and Evans, 2001;Omkar and Srivastava, 2003;Kalushkov and Hodek, 2004;Michaud, 2005;Omkar and Mishra, 2005), prey quantity (Omkar and Pervez, 2003;Omkar et al, 2009), photoperiods and wavelengths (Hodek and Ružička, 1979;Hodek and Iperti, 1983;Mishra and Omkar, 2005;Omkar et al, 2005) and sex (Hodek and Hönek, 1996;Dixon, 2000).…”