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Role of prey–host plant associations on Harmonia axyridis and Episyrphus balteatus reproduction and predatory efficiency
Author(s) -
Alhmedi Ammar,
Haubruge Eric,
Francis Frédéric
Publication year - 2008
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.1570-7458.2008.00740.x
Subject(s) - biology , harmonia axyridis , acyrthosiphon pisum , aphididae , botany , coccinellidae , aphid , predation , homoptera , predator , ecology , pest analysis
In order to predict possible locations of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the field, we studied their oviposition and prey preferences in relation to several host plant–prey associations under laboratory conditions. Oviposition preference of H. axyridis and E. balteatus females was determined for three aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)–host plant associations: Microlophium carnosum Buckton on stinging nettle [ Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae)], Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris on green pea [ Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae)], and Sitobion avenae F. on wheat [ Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)]. Prey preference of H. axyridis and E. balteatus larvae was determined with the aphids M. carnosum , A. pisum , and S. avenae . Harmonia axyridis females showed a strong oviposition preference for the stinging nettle– M. carnosum association. The preferred association for ovipostion by E. balteatus was pea‐hosting A. pisum , on which fecundity was also highest. Feeding behaviour was less restricted in H. axyridis , in which the preferred preys were M. carnosum and S. avenae . A lower specificity of predation was observed in E. balteatus larvae with respect to A. pisum . These laboratory experiments may help us to understand the spatial distribution of H. axyridis and E. balteatus in the field.