Prey‐predator relationship between Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. (Hom., Aphididae) and Coccinella septempunctata L. (Col., Coccinellidae). II. Effect of host plants on the functional response of the predator

Abstract

The present paper examines the effect of the host plants Brassica oleracea, Raphanus sativus and Brassica campestris on which Lipaphis erysimi was reared, on the functional response of the grub of Coccinella septempunctata. The functional response of the grub of C. septempunctata is of type II. The amount of prey consumption increases significantly with the increase of prey density and is maximum in B. oleracea‐reared aphids, followed by those reared on R. sativus and B. campestris. The percentage prey consumption declined throughout. This decrease was a maximum for aphids reared on B. campestris followed by R. sativus‐ and B. oleracea‐reared aphids. Analysis of variance also confirmed that the number and percentage prey consumption was significantly influenced between the three host plants and between 12 prey densities. Results show that C. septempunctata has a greater liking for aphids reared on B. oleracea rather than those reared on the other plants that were tested.

Food Relationships

“…In Petri dish pairings of larvae of C. septempunctata with varying densities of aphid nymphs of Lipaphis pseudobrassicae , Kumar et al (1999) recorded differences in the rate with which percentage prey consumption decreased with an increase in prey density for prey reared on Brassica campestris , B. oleracea or Rhaphanus sativus . For each of these three prey, however, the predator ' s functional response was type II.…”

Temperature-Dependent Functional Response of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the Eggs of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Laboratory

“…The assessment regarding natural enemy potential to suppress pest population is mainly carried out via evaluation of functional response, which depicts the interaction between prey density and predation capacity [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], enabling suitable choice of predator to be utilized in classical and augmentative biological control programs [ 29 , 30 ]. However, functional response may be regulated by a range of factors such as host plant of the prey [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ], feeding behaviour and history [ 37 ], prey species [ 38 , 39 ], predator and its phenology [ 40 , 41 ] and temperature also [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. In these, temperature is regarded as one of the most fundamental aspect, with ability to affect predator growth, development and foraging behaviour and thus the functional response [ 44 ].…”

Host plant effects on the functional response ofNeoseiulus cucumeristo onion thrips larvae

“…Price et al 1980) or by sticky exudates necessitating prolonged cleaning hereby reducing searching efficiency (Van Haren et al 1987). As examples, an influence of plant traits on the shape or parameters of functional responses has been demonstrated for the 14-spotted ladybeetle towards Russian wheat aphids on wheatgrass and ricegrass (Messina and Hanks 1998); for the seven-spotted ladybeetle towards mustard aphids on kale, radish and wild turnip (Kumar et al 1999); for predatory phytoseiid mites against spider mites on ornamental plants (Skirvin and Fenlon 2001) or pome fruit leaves (Koveos and Broufas 2000); and for the stink bug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Het. : Pentatomidae) towards beet armyworm (De Clercq et al 2000).…”