Foraging behaviour of Scymnus syriacus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) provided with Aphis spiraecola and Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as prey: Functional response and prey preference

Abstract

http://www.eje.cz Citrus tristeza closterovirus (Closterovirus: Closteroviridae) (Ayazpour et al., 2013). Chemical control is the main method used to control citrus aphids (Smaili et al., 2014). However, excessive use of insecticides reduces natural enemy populations and leads to resistance of the aphids to many common insecticides. Biological control is a safe alternative method for controlling aphids in citrus orchards (Alizadeh Kafeshani et al., 2018).Scymnus syriacus Marseul (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a widely distributed species and is important in suppressing aphid abundance in citrus orchards (Allawi, 2006). Both larvae and adults actively search for leaves infested with aphids. They feed on many species of aphids, especially A. spiraecola and A. gossypii (Emami et al., 2004). The young larvae of S. syriacus usually suck out the contents of aphids, whereas adults eat the whole body of the aphids. The number of aphids consumed depends on the size of the aphid, developmental stage of the predator and environmental conditions, such as temperature. The mean number of aphids consumed by the larval stages of S. syriacus has reported to be 95 and 130 aphids at 25°C and 30°C, respectively (Allawi, 2006).

Functional response of Harmonia axyridis preying on Acyrthosiphon pisum nymphs: the effect of temperature

“…The expected increase in metabolic rates with warming are associated with greater energy demands, which should cause predators to increase food intake and foraging activity. Determining these parameters with respect to phenological stage confirmed poor response by the first three instars as reported earlier 59 , 74 , whereas increased foraging performance by final instar and adult H. axyridis (especially female when compared with male) 24 , 45 , 52 suggesting H. axyridis may provide better biocontrol efficiency at later stages, plausibly owing to better searching efficiencies. The 4th instar requires large meals to attain the required weight for pupation 75 and adult predators have to prepare for reproduction 56 and other functions related to egg maturation or fertilization 76 .…”

“…Our results of greater predation by the 4th instar and female H. axyridis are supported by previous reports investigating the functional response of coccinellids, namely Adalia tetraspilota (Hope), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Harmonia dimidiata (Fab. ), and Scymnus syriacus Marseul preying on many aphid species 44 , 45 , 77 .…”

“…Although functional responses have been measured for H. axyridis on many crop pests 41 , 42 , information on the predation and functional response of H. axyridis to A. pisum is limited 43 . As the foraging behaviour of coccinellids can differ across predator species, developmental growth stages 41 , 44 , and different types of prey 45 , the quantification of species-specific prey-predator interactions can improve our understanding of foraging interactions and support the development of efficient biological control.…”

Natural enemies of Pentalonia nigronervosa, vector of Banana Bunchy Top Virus

“…Therefore, the use of Scymnus larvae has been reported to be effective in controlling Aphis gossypii (Bouvet et al 2019). Larvae of Scymnus syriacus performed higher predation capacity than their male and female imagoes (Moradi et al 2020). According to Hamback et al (2021), third instar larvae of Scymnus had highest predation capacity compared to the other stadia of predator.…”

Functional and numerical response of Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on Macrosiphum rosae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

“…It was determined that the response type was Type-II. In addition, it has been observed that especially the late larvae and adults of the predator insect have a high attack rate on both foods in a short time (Moradi et al, 2020). In a study on Bemicia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) eggs of different densities, the functional response of Delphastus catalinae and D. pallidus (Coleoptera:…”