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Functional Response of the Sevenspotted Lady Beetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus on the Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach)

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Abstract

The functional response of fourth instars, adult males and females of the sevenspotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), was studied at different densities of aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Homoptera: Aphididae). The maximum prey consumption was recorded for fourth instars at the highest prey density (800) and the minimum for the male lady beetle at the lowest prey density (25). The prey consumption by the predatory stages of the lady beetle was directly and the percent prey consumption inversely proportional to prey density. Prey handling time decreased with increasing prey density. Regression analysis showed a linear relationship between the log number of prey exposed for prédation and prey consumed. The predatory efficiency of the predator stages was directly proportional to prey density, indicating a Holling Type II functional response.

Résumé

La réponse fonctionnelle du 4ème stade larvaire et des adultes mâles et femelles de la coccinelle à 7 points, Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a été étudiée à différentes densités du puceron, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Homoptera: Aphididae). La consommation maximale de proies a été enregistrée pour le 4ème stade larvaire à la densité la plus élevée de proies (800) et la minimale pour les mâles de coccinelle à la plus faible densité de proies (25). La consommation de proies par les différents stades est proportionnelle à la densité de proies alors que le pourcentage de proies consommées est inversement proportionnel. Le temps de manipulation des proies diminue avec l’augmentation de la densité des proies. Un analyse de régression montre une relation linéaire entre le logarithme du nombre de proies présentes et celui du nombre de proies consommées. L’efficacité prédatrice des différents stades est directement proportionnelle à la densité de proies, ce qui indique une réponse fontionnelle d’Holling de type II.

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  1. Ladybird Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226 007, India

    Omkar  & Srivastava Shefali

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  1. Omkar
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  2. Srivastava Shefali
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Omkar, Srivastava, S. Functional Response of the Sevenspotted Lady Beetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus on the Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach). Int J Trop Insect Sci 23, 149–152 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400020373

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