Options
Molecular analysis of the gut contents of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as a method for detecting intra-guild predation by this species on aphidophagous predators other than coccinellids
Auteur(s)
Date de parution
2013
In
European Journal of Entomology
Vol.
4
No
110
De la page
567
A la page
576
Mots-clés
- Coleoptera
- Coccinellidae
- Harmonia axyridis
- Neuroptera
- Chrysopidae
- Chrysoperla carnea
- Diptera
- Syrphidae
- Episyrphus balteatus
- intraguild
- predation
- gut-content analysis
- colorado potato beetle
- prey dna
- biological-control
- invertebrate
- predators
- generalist predators
- oviposition preference
- aphid
- predators
- detectability
- pcr
- parasitoids
Coleoptera
Coccinellidae
Harmonia axyridis
Neuroptera
Chrysopidae
Chrysoperla carnea
Diptera
Syrphidae
Episyrphus balteatus
intraguild
predation
gut-content analysis
colorado potato beetl...
prey dna
biological-control
invertebrate
predators
generalist predators
oviposition preferenc...
aphid
predators
detectability
pcr
parasitoids
Résumé
Several studies have demonstrated that the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis is a strong intra-guild predator of native species of ladybird. Laboratory studies have shown that H. axyridis can be an intra-guild predator of aphid predators other than coccinellids, including the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus and lacewing Chrysoperla carnea. However, little is known about the effect of intra-guild predation (IGP) by H. axyridis on hoverfly and lacewing populations in the field. In the present study molecular analyses were used to detect the DNA of E. balteatus and C. carnea in the gut contents of H. axyridis. Primers for the syrphid and chrysopid prey were designed and feeding experiments performed to determine how long prey DNA remains detectable in the guts of this ladybird. DNA detection was influenced by the life stage of the predator and species of prey. Meal size did not affect detection time, except when fourth instar individuals of H. axyridis were fed 10 eggs or one second instar of C. carnea. Predator weight, sex and morpho-type (melanic/non-melanic) did not influence DNA detection. The half-life of the time for which the DNA of the prey remained detectable was calculated for each predator-prey combination, and ranged from 8.9 to 52.4 h. This method can be used to study the ecological importance of IGP by H. axyridis on aphidophagous predators other than coccinellids in the field.
Identifiants
Type de publication
journal article