Abstract
Factors stimulating host seeking behaviour of Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff), a pentatomid predator, were investigated by using Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as prey. Faeces of S. litura larvae elicited a host seeking response by the predators. The active material is present in the prey mandibular gland secretions, digestive tract and body surface, which when placed on a filter paper evoked feeding attempts. Predators responded intensely towards the prey artificial diet too. Prey body washings with hexane and acetone also stimulated feeding behaviour.
Physical stimuli such as host shape or movement had no influence on acceptability of the prey to the predator. Larval size correlated with aggressive behaviour which limited predation rather than releasing stimulus for the host acceptance behaviour. Pharate instar stage of the prey was never accepted by E. furcellata. But pupal, egg and adult stages of S. litura stimulated predators to certain extent.
Neither extirpation of antennae nor blinding the vision prevented the bugs from locating the prey. However, excision of rostral tip decreased the prey capture efficiency. It is suggested that the rostral tip contains chemotactile sensillae which are responsible for the prey detection.
Résumé
Les agents qui stimulent l’hôte recherchant la conduite (on le comportement) due Eocanthecona furcellata, (c’est à-dire un mammifére à fourrure, comme le loup), un prédateur pentatome, furent examinés comme proie en utilisant le Spodoptera litura (lépidoptères nocturlles). Les fèces de la larve S. litura decouvrirent un hôte recherchant une réponse des prédateurs. La matière active est présente dans les glandes sécrétoires, le conduit digestif et à la surface du corps de la proie mandibulaire, qui, mise sun un papier filtre, susita des tentatives (on des efforts) faites envers la nourriture. Les prédateurs répondirent aussi vivement à la diète artificielle de la proie. Les lavages du corps de la proie à l’hexane et a l’acètone stimulirent aussi le comportement envers la nourriture. Le stimuli physique, comme par exemple, la forme de l’hôte on son mouvement, n’eut aucune influence sur l’acceptabilité’ de la proie vers le prédateur. La grandeur (on la taille, dimension) de la larve correspondait à la conduite agressive qui borna la prédation, an lieu de libérer le stimulus de sorte que le comportment de l’hôte l’accepta.
L’etape “pharate instar” de la proie ne fut jamais acceptée par E. furcellata. Mais la pupe, l’oeuf (l’ovule) et les étapes adultes de S. litura stimulèrent les prédateurs jusqu’à un certain point.
Nil l’extirpation de l’antenne et du tarsien, ni l’aveuglement de la vision empêchèrent les punaises à repérer la proie. Cependant, l’excision du bout rostral diminua l’efficacite’ de la capture de la proie. On a suggéré que le bout rostral contient des “sensillae” chimotactiles qui sont responsables à détecter (on à découvrier) la proie.
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Rani, P.U., Wakamura, S. Host Acceptance Behaviour Of A Predatory Pentatomid, Eocanthecona Furcellata (Wolff) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) Towards Larvae of Spodoptera Litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 14, 141–147 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400014521
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400014521