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

Abstract

In the current study, we investigated the functional response of Harmonia axyridis adults and larvae foraging on Acyrthosiphon pisum nymphs at temperatures between 15 and 35 °C. Logistic regression and Roger’s random predator models were employed to determine the type and parameters of the functional response. Harmonia axyridis larvae and adults exhibited Type II functional responses to A. pisum, and warming increased both the predation activity and host aphid control mortality. Female and 4th instar H. axyridis consumed the most aphids. For fourth instar larvae and female H. axyridis adults, the successful attack rates were 0.23 ± 0.014 h−1 and 0.25 ± 0.015 h−1; the handling times were 0.13 ± 0.005 h and 0.16 ± 0.004 h; and the estimated maximum predation rates were 181.28 ± 14.54 and 153.85 ± 4.06, respectively. These findings accentuate the high performance of 4th instar and female H. axyridis and the role of temperature in their efficiency. Further, we discussed such temperature-driven shifts in predation and prey mortality concerning prey-predator foraging interactions towards biological control.

Functional Response of Harmonia axyridis to the Larvae of Spodoptera litura: The Combined Effect of Temperatures and Prey Instars

“…This may be explained by the acceleration of biological rates (i.e., metabolism) under warm conditions, which increases both the capacity to do biological work and the demand for resources. Our results are consistent with previous reports (Islam et al, 2020(Islam et al, , 2021 that showed heightened predation with warming by the 4th instar and female H. axyridis against S. litura eggs and Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (Harris) and also that they foraged relatively more than males and younger predators. Similar results were shown for Harmonia dimidiata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) preying on Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (Yu et al, 2013) and for Podisus maculiventris (Say) and Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) preying upon immature Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Mohaghegh et al, 2001).…”

“…The temperature was found to impact changes in the linear estimates, driving higher magnitude functional response by decreasing handling times. Our results are consistent with previous findings where 4th instar and female H. axyridis showed a type II functional response against A. pisum at 30 • C even though the linear estimates were not significant (Islam et al, 2021). This temperature effect suggests increased predator effectiveness at warmer temperatures at high prey densities as well.…”

“…In smaller comparative studies, however, the temperature may have a monotonic effect on functional responses (Buba et al, 2021;. It is imperative to consider the temperature in biological control strategies, especially for biological control with non-indigenous natural enemies (Islam et al, 2020(Islam et al, , 2021.…”

Quantifying predator functional responses under field conditions reveals interactive effects of temperature and interference with sex and stage

“…Therefore, the lower density of females at high temperatures may free up males and juveniles to forage at high temperatures. Our results on the temperature dependence of space clearance rates contrast with experimental examinations of temperature effects on functional responses in which individuals are often exposed to a uniform temperature and are typically in homogeneous arenas with no potential temperature refuges (Archer et al, 2019;Broom et al, 2021;Islam et al, 2021;Russell et al, 2021) This difference has potentially strong implications for the general way in which we conceive of temperature altering predator-prey interactions and thus food web dynamics given changing climates. Using more realistic temperature regimes and arenas in experiments will allow us to understand whether our result is unique to zebra jumping spiders or potentially more widespread in terrestrial ectotherms.…”

Predators' Functional Response: Statistical Inference, Experimental Design, and Biological Interpretation of the Handling Time

“…Literature suggests that the majority of functional response experiments are conducted using a time interval that digestion effects are likely to be included in the estimated handling times, i.e., the predator daily foraging cycle (e.g., Cabral et al, 2009;Jalali et al, 2010;Fathipour et al, 2018;Islam et al, 2021). Figure 1 depicts the functional response curve of a predatory ladybird beetle on its aphid prey over a 24-h time interval (data from Papanikolaou et al, 2014).…”