Life history response of a predatory ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), to food stress

Abstract

The ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), was studied under laboratory condition to reveal the effect of food stress on phenotypic changes in life history traits that reflect larval and adult performance. Two food environments (abundant and limited food availability) were used as experimental treatments. When the food was limited, larvae grew slowly. Surviving adults were smaller, and their pre-reproductive period was considerably prolonged, reproductive life span and fecundity were reduced, and longevity was increased. On limited food supply, adults had reduced efficiency of converting food into eggs in comparison to adults provided abundant food supply. The relationships between lifetime fecundity and female longevity suggested that for both food levels, there were two groups of individuals with one group showing a positive correlation and the other group a negative correlation between reproduction and longevity. Life history responses to food stress, and the trade-off between fecundity and female longevity, are discussed.

Prey Density Dependent Life Table of Aphidoletes Aphidomyza Rondani (Dip., Cecidomyiidae) Feeding on Aphis Craccivora Koch (Hem., Aphididae) under Laboratory Conditions

“…Feeding on different prey densities during the larval stage had a positive effect on fecundity of female A. aphidimyza. Studies on the effect of prey density on fecundity of predators are in agreement with our results (Yaşar and Özger 2005;Atlihan and Guldal 2009;Agarwala et al 2008).…”

Threatening the Harvest: The Threat from Three Invasive Insects in Late Season Vineyards

“…Females can lay an average of 1,642 eggs (Stathas et al 2001 ) , in batches of 20-30 (Takahashi 1987 ) . However, when food is a limiting factor, larvae grow more slowly, producing smaller and less fecund adults (Agarwala et al 2008 ) . Nutritional requirements for development of MALB were studied by Agarwala et al ( 2008 ) .…”

“…However, when food is a limiting factor, larvae grow more slowly, producing smaller and less fecund adults (Agarwala et al 2008 ) . Nutritional requirements for development of MALB were studied by Agarwala et al ( 2008 ) . To some extent, MALB can compensate for low prey availability by feeding at extrafl oral nectaries and the presence of such nectaries may interfere with biological control (Spellman et al 2006 ) .…”

Effects of Food Deprivation on the Development of Coleomegilla maculata (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…However, under these conditions of food restriction the predator demonstrated ability to survive and reproduce. These characteristics are important as coccinellids that feed on aphids live in habitats with seasonal variations in prey availability, since aphid populations are ephemeral (Agarwala et al 2008). Yet, the ability to survive and complete development when deprived of food is an indication of an important adaptive strategy that should allow lady beetles to cope with the highly unpredictable and variable food resources in nature (Phoofolo et al 2008).…”

“…Prey availability in the ecosystems is an important factor that in luences the development and growth of coccinellids, reducing their adult size, what can affect their potential as predators and thus in luence their ef iciency as biological control agents (Agarwala et al 2008, Phoofolo et al 2009. In the present study, we determined the effect of the feeding interval on larval performance and reproductive traits of C. maculata in the laboratory by offering prey at intervals of one, two and three days.…”