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Predation Potential of Chilocorus cacti (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to the Prickly Pear Cacti Pest Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)

  • Biological Control
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Abstract

Functional response of the predator Chilocorus cacti (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on five densities of Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) female adults was assessed under laboratory conditions. The searching efficiency of C. cacti significantly decreased as prey density increased. The logistic regression for the predator had a negative and significant linear parameter indicating a type II functional response. Non-linear regression for Holling predator equation estimated a handling time of 1.79 ± 0.129 h and attack rate coefficient of 0.1003 ± 0.030. Most of this handling time was because the predator spent a lot of time removing the waxy coating that protects adult females of D. opuntiae. Chilocorus cacti consumes females of D. opuntiae in their reproductive stage; therefore, it could be an effective natural enemy to suppress or regulate low density populations of D. opuntiae, preventing them to reach high densities.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank to Dr. Refugio Lomelí Flores, Colegio de Posgraduados, Montecillo, Mexico, for confirming the insect identification and providing helpful suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Depto de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Univ Autónoma Metropolitana, Hueso 1100, Villa Quietud, DF, 04960, México

    A Flores, H Olvera & S Rodríguez

  2. Depto de Sistemas Biológicos, Univ Autónoma Metropolitana, DF, México

    J Barranco

Authors
  1. A Flores
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  2. H Olvera
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  3. S Rodríguez
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  4. J Barranco
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A Flores.

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Edited by Madelaine Venzon – EPAMIG

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Flores, A., Olvera, H., Rodríguez, S. et al. Predation Potential of Chilocorus cacti (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to the Prickly Pear Cacti Pest Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae). Neotrop Entomol 42, 407–411 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-013-0139-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-013-0139-z

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