Comparative prey suitability of Ostrinia nubilalis eggs and Acyrthosiphon pisum for Coleomegilla maculata

Mpho W. Phoofolo, John J. Obrycki

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37 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs and Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae), when provided as single prey species and in combination, on life history characteristics of Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae and adults were quantified. Preimaginal development was not influenced by the larval prey regime; development at 26 ± 1°C was completed in approximately 13.5 days on O. nubilalis eggs, A. pisum, or A. pisum alternated daily with O. nubilalis eggs. The resulting adults weighed 13.0, 10.7, and 12.5 mg when reared on O. nubilalis eggs, A. pisum, and A. pisum alternated daily with O. nubilalis eggs, respectively. Eighteen percent of the individuals died when reared on A. pisum, 28% died when reared on O. nubilalis eggs, and 22% died when fed A. pisum alternated daily with O. nubilalis eggs. Seven adult diet combinations, based on diet regimes of larvae and adults, did not cause significant differences in preoviposition period, interoviposition period, and the number of days on which eggs were laid. Total fecundity was influenced both by larval and adult diet. The diet that resulted in highly fecund females was A. pisum alternated daily with O. nubilalis eggs for larvae and O. nubilalis eggs for adults. Female C. maculata fed O. nubilalis eggs had the highest intrinsic rate of increase and net reproductive rate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)167-172
Number of pages6
JournalBiological Control
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1997

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank E. Butin, A. Kao, and T. Cortilet for technical support. We also thank Leslie Lewis, Larry Pedigo, and Lois Tiffany for comments and criticisms on an earlier draft of this paper. This material is based on work submitted by M.W.P. in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Ph.D. degree. This research was supported by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. This is Journal Paper No. J-17117 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Project No. 2755, and supported by Hatch Act and State of Iowa Funds.

Keywords

  • Acyrthosiphon pisum
  • Biological control
  • Coccinellidae
  • Coleomegilla maculata
  • Life history traits
  • Ostrinia nubilalis
  • Predator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Insect Science

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