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Prey selection by in vitro ‐ and field‐reared Geocoris punctipes
Author(s) -
Hagler J. R.,
Cohen A. C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.1991.tb01504.x
Subject(s) - lygaeidae , biology , heliothis virescens , predation , exigua , heteroptera , antibiosis , toxicology , pest analysis , spodoptera , zoology , ecology , botany , noctuidae , biochemistry , genetics , gene , bacteria , recombinant dna
The patterns of prey selection of Geocoris punctipes (Say) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), reared continously on artificial diet for six years, were almost identical with patterns shown by their field‐derived counterparts. In paired choice experiments both the in vitro ‐reared and the wild G. punctipes showed a significant preference for Lygus hesperus over Aphis nerii, Heliothis zea, H. virescens , and Spodoptera exigua . There were no significant differences in choices made by the in vitro ‐reared and the wild G. punctipes . These similar feeding patterns suggest that in vitro rearing, even over extended periods, does not cause degradation in the prey selection characteristics of G. punctipes .