The age-stage specific functional response of a predator ladybird, Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson), to Gossyparia spuria Modeer at different temperatures

Abstract

In this study, the age-stage specific functional response of fourth instars and adult females of Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson) was evaluated. Our results showed a type II functional response for predation toward adult Gossyparia spuria Modeer at four constant temperatures (23, 27, 31, and 35 °C). The estimated maximum a’ by a single E. nigripennis larva was 0.0317, 0.1404, 0.0656, and 0.0039 h⁻¹, at 23, 27, 31, and 35 °C, respectively. Likewise, T_h of E. nigripennis larvae significantly reduced as temperature elevated from 23 to 31 °C, and then increased at 35 °C. The a’ and T_h of females at different temperatures followed the same pattern as larvae. Adult females and males consumed significantly more G. spuria than larvae at a prey density of 150 nymphs. Because of the large effect of temperature on the predation rate of G. spuria by E. nigripennis and the Type II functional response for fourth instar larvae and adults of this predator, temperature during inundative application of E. nigripennis against G. spuria in the field should be taken into account.

Keywords:

• Coccinellidae
• Eriococcidae
• functional response
• predation rate
• biological control

Acknowledgment

The authors thank the Zabol University (Zabol, Iran), for its cooperation by support for the experiment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.