The impacts of Harmonia axyridis cues on foraging behavior of Aphidius gifuensis to Myzus persicae

• Published in: Journal of Asia-Pacific entomology Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 278 - 284
• Main Authors: Xia, Peng-Liang, Yu, Xing-Lin, Li, Ze-Tao, Feng, Yi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2021; 한국응용곤충학회
• Subjects: Aphididae; Aphidius gifuensis; Chemical tracks; Coccinellidae; Functional responses; Harmonia axyridis; Hymenoptera; Intraguild interactions; 농학; Coccinellidae; Aphidius gifuensis; Functional responses; Aphididae; Harmonia axyridis; Intraguild interactions; Chemical tracks; Hymenoptera
• ISSN: 1226-8615; 1876-7990
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2020.12.008

[Display omitted] •Aphidius gifuensis avoid foraging in patches with Harmonia axyridis cues.•Functional response of A. gifuensis was not significantly affected by H. axyridis cues.•Aphidius gifuensis might exhibit flexible behavioral responses to predator cues. This study investigated the effect of adult associated cues of the multicolored Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the foraging behavior of the aphid parasitoid, Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Aphididae) with three assays: 1) whole aphid leaf-disc with H. axyridis tracks; 2) aphid leaf-disc with only half contaminated with H. axyridis tracks; 3) aphid leaf-discs without H. axyridis tracks. Foraging behavior of A. gifuensis was recorded using the Observer® XT 11 and EthoVsion® XT 12. In addition, functional responses of A. gifuensis in patches with or without H. axyridis cues were also tested. Aphidius gifuensis females preferred oviposition in arenas where no adult tracks of H. axyridis were present. However, no significant difference between functional responses of A. gifuensis foraging in plants with and without H. axyridis cues was detected. Our study suggests that H. axyridis associated cues could influence the foraging behavior and activity of A. gifuensis under laboratory conditions. On the other hand, the foraging efficiency of A. gifuensis was not significantly affected by H. axyridis walking tracks in a single plant system. Aphidius gifuensis might exhibit flexible behavioral responses to predator associated cues. The risk of intraguild interactions and the possibility of mitigating such risks for parasitoids are important components for ultimately determining the compatibility of biological control agents.