Predation by Coccinula quatuordecimpustulata on aphids
Author of the article:XIA Ying-Ying** LI Xue-Jun*** ZHENG Guo GUO Ya-Jing
Author's Workplace：Liaoning Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolution, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China
Key Words：Coccinula quatuordecimpustulata (Linnaeus), aphid, feeding habits, day maximum predation
Abstract： [Objectives] To assess the potential of Coccinula quatuordecimpustulata (Linnaeus) as a biological control for aphids. [Methods] 1st-4th instar larvae and adult C. quatuordecimpustulata were fed on 13 species of aphids and the daily maximum predation rate recorded. The developmental duration of C. quatuordecimpustulata larvae when fed either Aphis glycines Matsumura, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) or Chaitophrus populetii (Panzer) was compared. [Results] The daily maximum predation rate varied significantly with the species of aphid provided as prey. The food preferences of C. quatuordecimpustulata were identified by the biomass consumed daily and were, in descending order: A. glycines, Macrosiphoniella sanborni (Gillette), Sitobion rosivorum (Zhang), A. pisum, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus), etc. All pupae underwent eclosion normally. However, the developmental duration of larvae was shorter when fed on A. glycines and A. pisum than when fed on C. populetii. [Conclusion] C. quatuordecimpustulata can prey on all 13 aphid species with which it was tested. However, its predation rates and developmental duration varied significantly with aphid prey species.