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Development, growth, feeding and reproduction of Ceratomegilla undecimnotata, Hippodamia variegata and Coccinella septempunctata fed on the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae

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Abstract

The demographic parameters and the larval aphid consumption of the predatory coccinellids Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) and Ceratomegilla undecimnotata (Schneider) were examined at five constant temperatures (17, 20, 23, 26, and 29 °C). The same parameters were determined for Coccinella septempunctata L. at 23 °C. A red Myzus persicae nicotiannae Blackman clone reared on tobacco leaves was used as prey. Preimaginal development of H. variegata and C. undecimnotata ranged from 12.4 to 40.6 days and 14.4 to 48.5 days at 17 °C to 29 °C, respectively. The corresponding thermal summation constants were 211 and 256 DD (day-degrees). Total and mean daily larval consumption at 26 °C were 84.2 and 8.7 aphids, for H. variegata and 129.1 and 9.4 aphids, for C. undecimnotata, respectively. At 23 °C, the mean fecundity of H. variegata, C. undecimnotata and C. septempunctata was 882, 656 and 586 eggs, respectively. The duration of the oviposition periods was 47.6, 50.4 and 73.4 days, respectively. The demographic parameters calculated for H. variegata, C. undecimnotata and C. septempunctata, were as follows: intrinsic rate of increase (r m) 0.129, 0.084, and 0.061 female/female/day; mean generation time (T) 42.4, 59.1, and 69.3 days; net reproductive rate (Ro) 241.9, 142.7, 67.3 female/female; and population duplication time (DT) 5.4, 8.3, and 11. 4 days. Total aphid consumption by a pair of adult male and female was 2381 aphids in H. variegata and 3242 aphids in C. undecimnotata. The possible role of the three predator species as biocontrol agents is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers and the editor for the insightful suggestions that have aided toward integrating this paper. This study was supported by the research projects PYTHAGORAS II, and PENED 03 funded by the Greek Ministry of Education, and the Greek General Secretariat for Research and Technology, respectively.

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  1. P. J. Skouras

    Present address: Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology and Zoology, Department of Agricultural Technologists, Technological Educational Institute of Peloponnese, 24 100, Antikalamos, Kalamata, Greece

  2. J.A. Tsitsipis

    Present address: , Mainalou 4, 15 235, Vrilissia, Greece

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Fytokou Str., Nea Ionia, 38 446, Magnesia, Greece

    P. J. Skouras, K. D. Zarpas & J.A. Tsitsipis

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Ploutonos 26, Larissa, 41 221, Greece

    J. T. Margaritopoulos

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Skouras, P.J., Margaritopoulos, J.T., Zarpas, K.D. et al. Development, growth, feeding and reproduction of Ceratomegilla undecimnotata, Hippodamia variegata and Coccinella septempunctata fed on the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae . Phytoparasitica 43, 159–169 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-015-0455-4

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