Impact of temperature and prey density on the predacious capacity and behaviour of Stethorus punctillum Weise

Abstract

Temperature had various effects on the predacious efficacy of immature and mature stages of the coccinellid predator, Stethorus punctillum on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae. In the case of immature stages, food consumption at the lowest tested temperature (15°C) was significantly higher than that at higher temperatures (25 and 35°C). On the contrary, positive correlation between food consumption and temperature was evaluated in the case of adult predator. Regarding predator responses to different prey density, a high positive correlation between food consumption and prey density was evaluated among 4^th instar larvae of the predator, followed by adult predator, while younger instars did not show reasonable increases with increasing prey densities. These results confirm that larval and adult stages of S. punctillum exhibit “Type II” functional response. In conclusion, the 4^th instar larvae and adult predator are the most preferable stages in winter and summer crops to control T. urticae, respectively.

Keywords:

• Stethorus punctillum
• temperatures
• food consumption
• functional response