Open AccessEvolution in biocontrol strains: insight from the harlequin ladybird H armonia axyridis
Author(s) -
Tayeh Ashraf,
Estoup Arnaud,
Laugier Guillaume,
Loiseau Anne,
Turgeon Julie,
Toepfer Stefan,
Facon Benoit
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
evolutionary applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 68
ISSN - 1752-4571
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-4571.2012.00274.x
Subject(s) - biology , fecundity , biological pest control , harmonia axyridis , pest analysis , genetic diversity , ecology , botany , zoology , coccinellidae , predator , predation , demography , population , sociology
After being used as a biocontrol agent against aphids for decades without harmful consequences, the A sian harlequin ladybird H armonia axyridis has suddenly become an invasive pest on a worldwide scale. We investigate the impact of captive breeding on several traits of this ladybird such as genetic diversity, fecundity, survival and pathogen resistance. We conducted an experiment in the laboratory to compare the fecundity and the susceptibility to the entomopathogenic fungus B eauveria bassiana of wild and biocontrol adults of H . axyridis . We compiled these new findings with already published data. Altogether, our findings suggest that mass rearing of biological control agents may strongly impact genetic diversity and life‐history traits. We discuss how such changes may subsequently affect the fitness of biological control strains in natural environments.