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Should aphidophagous ladybirds be reluctant to lay eggs in the presence of unsuitable prey?
- Source :
-
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata . Feb2006, Vol. 118 Issue 2, p121-127. 7p. 2 Graphs. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- The quality of different species of aphids as food for aphidiphagous ladybird beetles varies greatly. The optimal oviposition theory predicts that a female should lay eggs preferentially in patches of suitable prey and should be reluctant to oviposit in patches of less suitable prey. A no-choice experiment was used to test whether aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) of different suitability influence the oviposition behaviour of the two-spot ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The results indicate that A. bipunctata females are not more reluctant to lay eggs in the presence of moderately suitable compared to highly suitable aphids. However, females laid fewer eggs in the presence of toxic aphids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *LADYBUGS
*APHIDOPHAGOUS insects
*APHIDS
*PREDATORY animals
*HOMOPTERA
*BEETLES
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00138703
- Volume :
- 118
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19427459
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.2006.00366.x