Aphid aqueous-extract as a source of host searching kairomones for the aphidophagous predatorCoccinella septempunctata L. (Col., Coccinellidae)

AdultCoccinella septempunctata, a coccinellid predator of the bean aphidAphis fabae Scop., responded to aqueous extract containing kairomones of the prey. The crude aphidextract was topically dropped onto either clean leaves ofVicia faba or clean Petri-dishes. After application of aqueous-extract at different aphid densities, the predator showed variations in the attractivity and searching behaviour in comparisons with control. The variations are summarized as follows: (1) the aqueous-extract of aphids attract or directC. septempunctata adults to the treated vials at all aphid densities. The number of attracted or directed coccinellid adults was directly proportional with aphid concentrations; (2) the predatorC. septempunctata adult intensified its searching behaviour by increasing the total path length walked; (3) the number of turns exhibited is significantly higher as compared with those of control; and (4) the arrested time spent by coccinellid adults with treated plant is much more than that with clean plant at all aphid densities. The present results show that the aphid aqueous-extract contains the active ingredients (kairomone) which induce considerable changes in the searching pattern of the predator coccinellid adults.     

A three‐year field study on the short‐term effects of insecticides used to control cereal aphids on plant‐dwelling aphid predators in winter wheat

Short‐term effects of six insecticides used to control aphids were assessed in wheat on plant‐dwelling aphid predators. Products were applied to small plots of winter wheat in June or at the beginning of July and the densities of predators were estimated three days after treatment using a beating method. Insecticides were tested in 1994, 1995 and 1997 at a single dose, corresponding to their maximum recommended field rate in Belgium. Fluvalinate and esfenvalerate did not significantly reduce catches of syrphid larvae compared to the control but ladybirds were affected by these compounds. Pirimicarb was the only product tested that had no effect on ladybirds. However, syrphid larvae appeared sensitive to this product. Cyfluthrin, deltamethrin and phosalone reduced catches of both syrphids and ladybirds. Populations of lacewing larvae were unaffected by any of the insecticide treatments. Syrphid larvae were the most abundant aphid predator and Episyrphus balteatus the most common species. Ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) were less numerous and only a few Chrysoperla carnea larvae were recorded. These results indicate that products that are less toxic to syrphid larvae, like esfenvalerate and fluvalinate, may be preferable to other compounds to control cereal aphids in wheat in spring and early summer. However, other criteria, such as the effectiveness of the different aphid‐specific predators, cost, efficacy of the treatment and side effects on other aphid antagonists (including parasitic hymenoptera and polyphagous predators) must also be taken into consideration. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Field evaluation of entomofungal pathogens against cowpea aphid,Aphis craccivora Koch,and their effect on two coccinellid predators

The present study was carried out to assess the field efficacy of 10 isolates of entomofungal pathogens on management of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora. All the tested isolates showed suppressive effect on aphid population. Two-year pooled data revealed lower incidence of 19.37–40.81 aphids/plant in the entomofungal pathogen treated plots compared to higher incidence of 88.07 aphids/plant in untreated control. Among the 10 isolates tested, Vl-8 isolate of Lecanicillium lecanii, Ma-6 isolate of Metarhizium anisopliae and Bb-5a isolate of Beauveria bassiana showed 78.01%, 77.42% and 76.91% reduction of aphid population, respectively, over control and were on par with each other. Significantly higher yields were recorded in the plots treated with Bb-5a, Ma-6 and Vl-8 isolates (1252, 1225 and 1208 kg/ha, respectively) compared to untreated control (916 kg/ha). The predatory coccinellid populations of Cheilomenes sexmaculata and Micromus timidus in entomofungal treated and untreated control plots were almost similar and found statistically non-significant, indicating the safety of fungal pathogens to these coccinellid predators.     

Harmonious interaction of kaolin and two insect predator species in plant protection

Lacewings and lady beetles represent two important groups of natural enemies for pest control. Kaolin is used in various crop ecosystems to reduce abiotic plant stressors and pest colonization. Compatible methods aimed at reducing abiotic and biotic plant stressors are desired in crop management systems. Therefore, this work evaluated the development and survival of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae of different ages treated with kaolin at three different concentrations (ca. 60, 80, and 100 g/L) and prey consumption when treated with kaolin at a field rate of 60 g/L. The prey used were the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and the aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Survival rates and development durations for E. connexa larvae topically treated with kaolin at different ages were similar to those for untreated larvae. However, larvae of C. externa reduced survival and delayed development when treated with kaolin concentrations greater than the recommended field rate. Otherwise, kaolin treatments did not affect prey consumption by larvae and adults of both predator species.     

异色瓢虫对苹果-蛇床草微景观中两种蚜虫的捕食功能反应及选择偏好性

为评估异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis对苹果-蛇床草微景观中2种寄主上绣线菊蚜Aphis spiraecola和胡萝卜微管蚜Semiaphis heraclei的生物防治潜能,在实验室条件下测定异色瓢虫1~4龄幼虫和雌、雄成虫对2种蚜虫3~4龄若蚜的捕食功能反应、寻找效应以及捕食偏好性。结果表明,异色瓢虫1~4龄幼虫和雌、雄成虫对绣线菊蚜和胡萝卜微管蚜的捕食功能反应均符合Holling Ⅱ型功能反应类型,其中,雌成虫对绣线菊蚜的捕食能力最强,为411.284,雄成虫对胡萝卜微管蚜的捕食能力最强,为356.403; 2龄幼虫对绣线菊蚜的瞬时攻击率最大,为1.231,3龄幼虫对胡萝卜微管蚜的瞬时攻击率最大,为1.277。异色瓢虫各虫态对绣线菊蚜和胡萝卜微管蚜的寻找效应均随着蚜虫密度的升高而降低。当2种蚜虫共存且总密度为60头/皿时,不同密度比例下异色瓢虫对2种蚜虫均无显著偏好性;当总密度为240头/皿,绣线菊蚜与胡萝卜微管蚜的密度比例为1:5、2:4、3:3和4:2时异色瓢虫对绣线菊蚜表现出显著的偏好性,而在密度比例为1:5、3:3和4:2时异色瓢虫对胡萝卜微管蚜表现出显著的负偏好性。表明异色瓢虫对苹果-蛇床草微景观中绣线菊蚜的防控潜能更好。     

Development,fecundity and prey consumption ofExochomus nigromaculatus feeding onHyalopterus pruni

Development, survival and reproduction ofExochomus nigromaculatus (Goeze) were studied in the laboratory at four constant temperatures from 20°C to 35±1°C in 5°C increments, 60±5% r.h. and 16 h of artificial light (5000 lux). Development time from egg to adult ranged from 22.4 days at 20°C to 10.6 days at 35°C, and required 278 degree-days above a threshold estimated to be 9.11°C. Survival was highest at 25°C and lowest at 35°C. Longevity of females declined significantly with increasing temperatures, ranging from 120.7 days at 20°C to 46.6 days at 35°C. Mean generation time became shorter with increasing temperatures. The intrinsic rate of increase of individuals kept at 30°C was significantly greater than that of individuals kept at the other temperatures tested. Fourth larval instars and adults ofE. nigromaculatus displayed a Type II functional response toHyalopterus pruni densities. Searching rate of fourth instar larvae and adults was similar, but handling time was shorter for female adults. Results obtained in this study showed that the optimal temperature for population growth ofE. nigromaculatus was 30°C and this coccinellid predator may have potential as a biological control agent forH. pruni because of its feeding capacity. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Aug. 22, 2002.     

棉蚜密度对瓢虫集团内捕食作用的影响

以华北棉田3种常见瓢虫-异色瓢虫、龟纹瓢虫和七星瓢虫为对象,依次在室内和田间条件下研究了不同棉蚜密度对瓢虫种间集团内捕食作用的影响。结果显示,室内条件下,随着棉蚜密度的上升,一种瓢虫幼虫对另一种瓢虫卵的捕食量呈下降趋势。与不提供棉蚜的对照相比,提供20、200头棉蚜的处理的捕食量分别平均降低56.5%、92.6%。田间罩笼试验显示出了相似规律,每株蚜量为50、200头时,捕食量较对照(没有棉蚜)平均降低42.0%、56.9%。结果表明,猎物棉蚜的存在能有效降低3种瓢虫之间的集团内捕食作用;棉蚜密度越高,这种趋势越明显。     

七星瓢虫对苜蓿斑蚜捕食作用的研究

七星瓢虫(Coccinella septempunctata)捕食苜蓿斑蚜(Therioaphis trifolii)的数量与苜蓿斑蚜密度呈负加速曲线关系,功能反应符合Holling-Ⅱ型模型,为N_a=1.024 2N/(1+0.003 3N),捕食苜蓿斑蚜的数量随斑蚜密度增加而增大,但寻找效应随之而降低,日最大捕食量为313头。在10～25℃下,七星瓢虫捕食率y与温度x的关系为y=2.4 1x+3 0.0 7 5,在2 5～3 5℃间的捕食率y与温度x的关系为y=1 2 0-1.2x,2 5℃下七星瓢虫捕食率最高,捕食率达9 0.5%。在种内干扰条件下,其捕食作用率E随天敌密度P的增加而减少,干扰反应数学模型为E=0.4 1 9 3P^{-0.5 0 1 8}。随着叶片数量增多,七星瓢虫和斑蚜之间的距离相对增大,造成捕食率的下降。     

烟盲蝽对不同密度斜纹夜蛾初龄幼虫的捕食和搜寻行为

为评价动植食性烟盲蝽对害虫的控制作用,本文通过室内试验研究了烟盲蝽在斜纹夜蛾幼不同密度虫斑块上的捕食和搜寻行为。在盆栽烟草植株上设置不同猎物密度,每株分别接0、5、10、20和30头1龄斜纹夜蛾幼虫于同一叶片上,然后接入1头烟盲蝽雌成虫,观察记录烟盲蝽的行为及其发生时间。结果表明,烟盲蝽对猎物的捕食量随猎物密度增大而增加;对猎物被捕食的时间进行Cox比例风险模型拟合表明,低密度猎物斑块上的幼虫被烟盲蝽捕食的风险大于高密度猎物斑块。烟盲蝽在猎物斑块上的行为以搜寻和刺吸猎物、植物为主,用于梳理和休息的时间较少;在低密度猎物斑块上,搜寻和刺吸植物的时间占较大比例;而在高密度猎物斑块上,刺吸猎物的时间占较大比例。烟盲蝽在斑块上的驻留时间随猎物密度增大而延长,在高密度猎物斑块上的驻留时间显著长于在低密度斑块上。研究结果说明,烟盲蝽对斜纹夜蛾初龄幼虫的捕食强度与猎物密度有关,密度越高,捕食得越多,但花费的时间更多,从而导致对高密度猎物的捕食效率低于对低密度猎物的捕食。     

Activation of defence in sweet pepper, Capsicum annum, by cis-jasmone, and its impact on aphid and aphid parasitoid behaviour

BACKGROUND: Two important pests of the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, are the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae, and the glasshouse potato aphid, Aulacorthum solani. Current aphid control measures include the use of biological control agents, i.e. parasitic wasps, but with varying levels of success. One option to increase parasitoid efficiency is to activate plant defence. Therefore, sweet pepper plants were treated with the naturally occurring plant defence activator cis-jasmone, and its impact upon the behaviour and development of aphids and aphid parasitoids was investigated. RESULTS: Growth rate studies revealed that the intrinsic rate of population increase of A. solani and M. persicae on sweet pepper plants treated with cis-jasmone (cJSP) was not affected compared with untreated plants (UnSP), but the positive behavioural response of alate M. persicae towards the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from UnSP was eliminated by cis-jasmone treatment 48 h previously (cJSP48). In addition, the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi preferred VOCs from cJSP48 compared with UnSP, and a significant increase in foraging time was also observed on cJSP. Analysis of VOCs collected from cJSP48 revealed differences compared with UnSP. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that treatment with cis-jasmone has the potential to improve protection of sweet pepper against insect pests. © Crown copyright 2012. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Plant food effects on prey consumption by the omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus

Omnivorous predatory Heteroptera are important biological control agents of pests in several crops. They can feed on plant food resources that may positively affect their biological characteristics. In the current paper, the influence of leaves and flowers on the predation rate of the omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) was investigated. Its predation rates were recorded on prey offered on (a) a single leaf of tomato, pepper or black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), or (b) a leaf of pepper or S. nigrum plus flowers of pepper or S. nigrum, respectively. In all cases the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) was used as prey at densities of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 nymphs of the second instar. The experiments were conducted in petri dishes at 25 ± 1°C and prey consumption was evaluated after 24 h. The predation rate of M. pygmaeus was significantly higher on leaves of S. nigrum than on those of pepper at the prey density of 20 prey items. Therefore, the hypothesis that increased predation rates should occur on plants of lower suitability for development or reproduction was not supported under our experimental conditions. The flower availability did not alter the prey consumption among the prey densities on S. nigrum. However, the presence of a pepper flower caused a significant decrease in the predation rates on pepper leaves, at prey densities higher than eight prey items. Thus, pepper flowers can provide the predator with nutrient sources that may partially substitute for prey consumption, with practical implications in biological control.     

Establishment ofHarmonia axyridis on Citrus and Some Data on Its Phenology in Greece

In September 1993, a colony ofHarmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae) was imported from France into Greece. In 1994, insectary-reared adults were released in 11 citrus orchards in four citrus-growing areas of Greece. Between May 19 and June 8, 1994,H. axyridis was recovered from a total of seven localities in three of these areas. This species was established on orange, mandarin and sour orange trees heavily infested withToxoptera aurantii, Aphis spiraecola andA. gossypii; its absence from the remaining four localities may have been the result of low prey densities. Twenty-three days after the initial releases,H. axyridis larvae comprised 57.9% and 83.3%, respectively, of the aphidophagous coccinellid larval populations in two localities (on Chios Island). In samples taken at Leonidion 43 days after the introduction release, both adult and larval populations ofH. axyridis represented approximately one-third of aphidophagous coccinellid adults and larvae found, whereas the indigenousAdalia bipunctata comprised about one-half of the population. In cages placed outside the Athens laboratory,H. axyridis completed four overlapping generations annually; average longevities of 56.2, 66.8, 78.9 and 102.2 days, respectively, were recorded for the successive generations. Adults of the 3rd and 4th generations overwintered, giving rise to the following year’s 1st generation. Oviposition began in April and emergence of 1st generation adults occurred in mid-May. The egg-laying activity of the females throughout the warm period of the year indicates thatH. axyridis does not diapause in summer. From December until March, small aggregations (2-4 individuals) were observed within the cages at protected sites.     

成株期小麦对荻草谷网蚜的田间抗蚜性和耐蚜性评价

为拓展和获取对荻草谷网蚜Sitobion miscanthi表现稳定的小麦抗源,以我国146个小麦品种（系）为材料,利用2020年麦田蚜虫发生严重的机会,采用有蚜株蚜害级别计算抗蚜指数,采用耐蚜值（调查株蚜害级别/千粒重损失率）计算耐蚜指数,以此评估小麦的抗蚜性水平和耐蚜性水平;2022年利用人工辅助接蚜的方法对2020年表现稳定的部分小麦品种（系）的评估结果进行验证。结果显示,在自然感蚜条件下2个试验点6次调查中仅山农116、泉麦31和濮麦116表现稳定的抗蚜性,在人工接蚜时仅郑麦132表现稳定的抗蚜性;中育1220、泰禾麦2号和瑞华1408在自然感蚜时蚜量较低,千粒重损失率低于5.00%,人工接蚜亦表现良好的耐蚜性,表明其兼具耐蚜性和一定的抗蚜性;泰麦601、瑞华592、轮选166和中农麦4007在自然感蚜的高蚜量情况下和人工辅助接蚜时均能保持较低的千粒重损失率（小于15.00%）,表明成株期小麦的抗蚜性减弱是一种普遍现象,耐蚜性是比抗蚜性更稳定的遗传特征。     

International Symposium on the Evaluation of Biological Activity,Wageningen, April, 1975

Abstract

A method was devised for estimating large populations of cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on cowpea. The densities of the aphid on stem, leaves and pod were first estimated in the laboratory for use in the field later. The densities were estimated in three arbitrary classes of infestation, viz. heavy, medium and low, determined visually based on the intensity of colonization. The densities of the aphid per cm² on stems were 108.50, 49.77 and 2503, while on pods they were 80.68, 44.46 and 23.20, in the three classes of infestation respectively. The aphid did not show any preference for the thickness of stems whereas young pods were preferred to old pods for colonization. The mean aphid densities on leaflets of topmost leaves were 62.10, 36–35 and 18–50, while on leaflets of top 2nd and 3rd leaves they were 124–60, 69–35 and 38.20, in the three infestation classes respectively. Comparisons made between the aphid densities on different parts of cowpea plant showed that the aphid colonized them in descending order of preference as stem > pod > top most leaf > top 2nd and 3rd leaves.     

Evaluation of food sprays and relay strip crops for enhancing biological control of bollworms and cotton aphids in cotton

Studies were conducted at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station research farms located at Munday (1996 test) and Chillicothe (1997 test) to evaluate relay strip crops in combination with a food spray to enhance biological control of bollworms, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, in cotton. The relay crops included fall plantings of hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth, and canola, Brassica napus L., and a spring planting of grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L. Cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., was planted between the relay crops or was isolated from the relay crops. Treatments within the two cotton systems included an untreated check plot, a plot sprayed with sugar+yeast (food spray) during summer to attract and hold predator insects, a plot sprayed with biological ('soft') insecticides for bollworm and cotton aphid control (Bacillus thuringiensis and pymetrozine, respectively), and a plot sprayed with harsh insecticides for bollworm and cotton aphid control (zeta cypermethrin and dicrotophos or profonofos, respectively). A split-plot experimental design, with three replications, was used where whole plots included relay and isolated cotton systems and subplots were the four food/chemical treatments. Predator numbers were monitored with a vacuum sampler once a week in relay crops and cotton. Bollworms and cotton aphids were monitored visually once a week in cotton during July and August. Total predator numbers were higher in cotton adjacent to relay crops in 1996, but not in 1997. The food spray did not enhance attraction and retention of predators either year. Bollworm larval numbers were significantly higher in relay cotton, food spray plots in 1996. Bollworm larval numbers were similar in relay and isolated cotton, and larval numbers were significantly reduced only in the plot where zeta cypermethrin (harsh insecticide plot) was used. In 1996, cotton aphid numbers in the relay cotton system were significantly higher in the untreated check plots in relation to numbers in the food spray, soft insecticide, and harsh insecticide plots, which were statistically similar. In the isolated cotton system, aphid numbers were highest in untreated plots, intermediate in food spray and soft insecticide plots, and lowest in the harsh insecticide plots. Aphid numbers increased more rapidly in the harsh insecticide plots that had been treated previously for bollworm control. The food spray and pymetrozine treatments reduced cotton aphids more effectively in the relay cropping system than in the isolated cotton system. Bollworms and cotton aphids did not reach pest status in 1997. The combination of a relay cropping system with a food spray did not enhance predator numbers and did not aid in retention of predators in cotton during August. Sucrose in the food spray attracted high numbers of bollworms in 1996.     

Seasonal abundance and spatial distribution of the predator<Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrolophus costalis</Emphasis> and its prey<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> on tobacco

Field studies were conducted to assess the population and the spatial dynamics of the predatory bugMacrolophus costalis Fieber (Hemiptera: Miridae) and of its prey, the aphidMyzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea), on tobacco. From an untreated tobacco field in Tithorea (central Greece), tobacco leaves were collected from the upper and the lower half of the plants from June until September, in 1999 and 2000. The numbers ofM. costalis andM. persicae individuals per leaf were counted. Most aphids were observed during July and August (early and mid season), with densities dropping markedly in September. In contrast,M. costalis population densities increased late in the season (September). Significantly higher numbers of aphids were found on the upper half of the plants than on the lower half. In contrast, significantly moreM. costalis individuals were observed on the lower half. Iwao’s Regression Analysis was used in order to characterize the spatial pattern of the two species. According to this model, in both sampling seasons, aphids andM. costalis nymphs displayed an aggregated spatial pattern, whileM. costalis adults were found to be randomly distributed among sampling units. Although moreM. costalis individuals were recorded on leaves with relatively high aphid densities, this species did not react numerically to changes in prey density. In addition, a significant number of bugs were found on leaves with low aphid densities or no aphids at all. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 18, 2002.     

Effect of temperature on predation of Chilocorus bipustulatus L. (Col.: Coccinellidae) feeding on Agonoscena pistaciae (Hem.: Psyllidae)

Chilocorus bipustulatus L. (Col.: Coccinellidae) is a predatory coccinellid with a wide geographical distribution. Biological control programs should have a good understanding of the capacity of a predator to kill the target prey. Therefore, the age-stage specific predation rate and functional response of C. bipustulatus feeding on Agonoscena pistaciae (Hem.: Psyllidae) were studied at 18, 25, and 32 °C (65?±?5%RH and 16 L: 8D) to confirm its potential as a biological control agent of common pistachio psylla. The functional response at 18 and 25 °C were described by type II and type III at 32 °C. The estimated maximum attack rate (T/Th) was at 25 °C. Moreover, the highest net feeding (C₀) was observed at 25 °C (3271.5 psyllids). This laboratory study, thus, suggested that the predatory coccinellid C. bipustulatus reacted to the rise of temperature by enhancing the predation rate on A. pistaciae.

     

南方小花蝽对为害蚕豆的三种蚜虫的捕食作用

豆蚜Aphis craccivora、豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum和豌豆修尾蚜Megoura crassicauda是为害豆科作物的主要害虫。南方小花蝽Orius strigicollis是重要捕食性食蚜天敌,广泛分布于我国南方。为明确南方小花蝽对豆科作物上3种蚜虫的捕食作用和生物防治潜能,本研究在实验室条件下,测定了南方小花蝽对3种蚜虫的捕食选择性和捕食功能反应。结果表明,南方小花蝽对3种蚜虫的捕食功能反应均符合HollingⅡ模型,不同龄期南方小花蝽对3种蚜虫捕食量由大到小依次为5龄若虫,雌成虫,低龄若虫。对豆蚜的捕食量均大于对豌豆修尾蚜的捕食量,对豌豆蚜的捕食量最小,雌成虫对以上3种蚜虫的日最大捕食量分别为豆蚜63.69头/d、豌豆蚜36.23头/d和豌豆修尾蚜49.26头/d。南方小花蝽对3种蚜虫的寻找效应随蚜虫密度的增加而降低,随小花蝽龄期的增加而升高,相同龄期的南方小花蝽对3种蚜虫的寻找效应由大到小依次为豌豆修尾蚜,豆蚜,豌豆蚜。南方小花蝽对猎物的捕食作用受自身密度的干扰,当猎物密度不变时,随着小花蝽自身密度的增加,单头小花蝽平均捕食量下降,其干扰反应符合H...     

Intraspecific variation in Capsella bursa-pastoris in plant quality traits for insect herbivores

The arable plant Capsella bursa‐pastoris is phenotypically variable in many life history traits, particularly time from germination to flowering. The hypothesis was investigated that, associated with this variation, there are differences in traits that influence plant quality for insect herbivores. Significant within‐species variation was found in plant growth, leaf surface characteristics and tissue nutrient composition among 21 accessions of Capsella. Short flowering time plants exhibited slow vegetative growth, relatively large shoot nitrogen content, high leaf hair densities and differences in phloem composition, compared with long flowering time plants. Insect herbivore response to distinctive trait combinations was assessed on a subset of seven accessions using the phloem‐feeding aphids Aphis fabae and Myzus persicae. Variation in aphid performance was small but significant, with 15–25% fewer nymphs produced on plant variants that exhibited greater tissue water content and low tissue C:N ratio (A. fabae) or on variants with less phloem nitrogen (M. persicae). The differential responses exhibited by the two aphid species to the test accessions confirmed that quantifying intraspecific plant variation is a necessary first step in understanding plant functional diversity and its impact on consumers in arable systems.     

不同龄期异色瓢虫对核桃全斑蚜的捕食功能反应

核桃全斑蚜是近年来新发现的一种核桃树上的新害虫,为明确异色瓢虫对核桃全斑蚜的控害潜能,室内研究了不同龄期异色瓢虫对不同密度核桃全斑蚜的捕食能力。结果表明：不同龄期异色瓢虫对核桃全斑蚜的捕食功能反应均符合Holling-Ⅱ型圆盘方程。异色瓢虫各龄幼虫及成虫对核桃全斑蚜的日最大理论捕食量由大到小依次为4龄幼虫、雌成虫、雄成虫、3龄幼虫、2龄幼虫和1龄幼虫; 4龄幼虫对核桃全斑蚜的瞬间攻击率最强,处理时间最短。异色瓢虫的寻找效应随着猎物密度的增加而降低,4龄幼虫寻找效应最强。即异色瓢虫对核桃全斑蚜具有较强的捕食能力。