Abstract
The density responsiveness of larvae and adults of Cheilomenes lunata (Fabricius) preying on Aphis craccivora Koch was investigated under laboratory conditions where temperature and relative humidity were uncontrolled and fluctuated between 24-30°C and 43-90% respectively. The feeding rates of C. lunata were positively correlated with the population density of prey. The number of prey consumed daily by each predator stage tested, increased more steeply at lower, than at higher prey densities, exhibiting thus the Type II functional response. Fecundity of C. lunata females also increased to a plateau with increasing prey density.
Résumé
La réaction des larves et des adulte à’Cheilomenes lunata (Fabricius) à croissant densité d’Aphis craccivora Koch a été étudiée à une température variant de 24 à 30°C et humidité de 43 à 90%. Les taux d’alimentation de C. lunata manifestent une corrélation hautement significative avec la densité de population de la proie. Le nombre de poies consommées quotidiennement par chaque stade considéré du prédateur augmentait plus brusquenent aux failes qu’aux fortes densités de proies, manifestant ainsi chez le prédateur le Type II de réponse fonctionelle. Fécondité des C. lunata femelles aussi augmentait à une plateau avec croissant proie densité.
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Ofuya, T.I., Akingbohungbe, A.E. Functional and Numerical Responses of Cheilomenes lunata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Feeding on the Cowpea Aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 9, 543–546 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400011127
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400011127