Predation rate and numerical response ofAphidoletes aphidimyzafeeding on different densities ofAphis craccivora

Abstract

Predation rate and numerical response are basic to any investigation of predatorprey relationships and key components in the selection of predators for biological control. The density-dependent predation rate and numerical response of Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) to varying densities (5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80) of third-instar Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were studied in laboratory conditions [23±1°C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH), and a photoperiod of 16:8 h L:D. Predation rate data were analysed using the age-stage, two-sex consumption rate software. Net consumption rate (C 0 ) increased by increasing prey density. The lowest and highest net consumption rates were 20.75 and 190.8 prey nymphs at densities of 5 and 80 A. craccivora. The transformation rate from prey population to predator offspring (Q p ) increased by increasing prey density. The reproductive numerical response, in terms of eggs laid, increased curvilinearly with increasing prey density. Females laid 121.375 ± 4.301 eggs when exposed to the highest prey density (80) and 52.5 ± 1.544 eggs at lowest prey density (5). It can be concluded that different densities of A. craccivora influenced the reproductive performance of A. aphidimyza in terms of predation rate and numerical response.

The effects of host plant species on adult oviposition and larval performance of the aphid predator Aphidoletes aphidimyza

“…First, the effects of plant traits on A. aphidimyza larval performance may be exacerbated under more variable field conditions compared with those in the laboratory. Second, A. aphidimyza is known to vary its clutch size in response to aphid density in the field (Sentis et al ., ) and the laboratory (Lucas & Brodeur, ; Madahi et al ., ), but the effect of aphid density on oviposition is much stronger on patches near plant meristems (Jandricic et al ., ). Although cumulative aphid days was not retained in our model (but see Appendix S1), cumulative leaf days did significantly predict predatory fly abundance in our field study.…”

The chromosome-level genome assembly of Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

“…Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is widely used to control aphids in agricultural systems 13 . It is an oligophagous insect that displays remarkable voracity and targets more than 80 species of aphids, including the major pests, namely Aphis craccivora 14 , Aphis gossypii 15 , Myzus persicae 16 , and others 17 . Owing to the limited dispersal ability of larvae, adults primarily depend on oviposition near aphid colonies to facilitate the predation of their progeny and the establishment of their population 13 , 18 – 20 .…”

A Predator-Prey Population Dynamics Simulation for Biological Control Of Frankliniella Occidentalis (Western Flower Thrips) By Orius Laevigatus In Strawberry Plants

“…The numerical response of insect predators is modelled by assuming that the daily oviposition rate of adult females increases with their daily predation rate (Crawley, 1975). This is approximated using a linear relationshipevery prey eaten results in a constant increase in the predator's daily oviposition rate up to a maximum value (prey required for satiation) (Crawley, 1975;Rahman et al, 2012;Madahi et al, 2015;Nasreen et al, 2021;Loko et al, 2022). Hence, the daily oviposition rate (eggs/female/day) of an adult Orius female (e o a ) is formulated as…”