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Interference competition between ladybird beetle adults (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): effects on growth and reproductive capacity

  • Original article
  • Special feature: predatory ladybirds: individuals, populations, and interactions
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Population Ecology

Abstract

Cage experiments were used to determine the minimum number of Aphis fabae Scopoli that females of the Azorean native ladybird beetle Coccinella undecimpunctata L. require per day to achieve maximum fecundity and to assess the effects of interference competition from conspecific and heterospecific [Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)] adult ladybirds on its growth and reproduction. The number of A. fabae at which females of C. undecimpunctata ate most aphids, achieved maximum reproduction and maintained their body weight, was 200. The presence of H. axyridis adults, unlike the presence of C. undecimpunctata, significantly affected the reproductive numerical response of C. undecimpunctata even though the resource was not in short supply. The results suggest that interference competition with heterospecifics may adversely affect the reproductive capacity of C. undecimpunctata. Based on previous results and those reported here, we suggest that the introduction of H. axyridis could endanger the population abundance and/or result in the competitive displacement of C. undecimpunctata from the Azorean ecosystem.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank to Professor E. W. Evans and A. F. G. Dixon for helpful comments. We also wish to thank Helena Figueiredo, Roberto Resendes and Rui Moura for technical assistance. This research was funded by a grant from the Centro de Investigação dos Recursos Naturais (CIRN) from Department of Biology of the University of the Azores.

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  1. Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apart. 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal

    António O. Soares & André Serpa

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  1. António O. Soares
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  2. André Serpa
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Correspondence to António O. Soares.

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Soares, A.O., Serpa, A. Interference competition between ladybird beetle adults (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): effects on growth and reproductive capacity. Popul Ecol 49, 37–43 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10144-006-0020-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10144-006-0020-6

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