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The searching behaviour of Anthocoris confusus (Reuter) in relation to prey density and plant surface topography
Author(s) -
EVANS H. F.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
ecological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0307-6946
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2311.1976.tb01219.x
Subject(s) - predation , biology , aphid , instar , nymph , ecology , botany , larva
1 The searching behaviour of A.confusus females was investigated in an artificial arena. 2 Females showed an increase in the frequency of turning movements following feeding and this concentrated search in a small area. As a result more prey were found in areas where prey distribution was clumped. 3 If no prey was encountered within 5–8 min the search track straightened out. 4 First and second instar nymphs searching on broad bean plants moved faster on the undersides of leaves which were the sites most likely to support aphid populations. A considerable proportion of available time was wasted in periods of inactivity. 5 It was concluded that while plant topography strongly influences search pattern, the underlying trend demonstrated in these experiments was of advantage to predators searching for colonial prey.