Effect of plant nutrition on aphid size, prey consumption, and life history characteristics of green lacewing

Abstract

Plant quality can directly and indirectly affect the third trophic level. The predation by all the instars of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (S.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on the cereal aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), and Sitobion avenae (F.) at varying nitrogen fertilizer levels was calculated under laboratory conditions. Wheat plants were grown on four nitrogen fertilizer levels and aphids were fed on these plants and subsequently offered as food to the C. carnea. Aphid densities of 10, 30, and 90 were offered to first, second, and third instar larvae of green lacewing. Increased nitrogen application improved nitrogen contents of the plants and also the body weight of cereal aphids feeding on them. Aphid consumption by green lacewings was reduced with the increase in nitrogen content in the host plants of aphids. Predation of both aphid species by first, second, and third instars larvae of C. carnea was highest on aphids reared on plants with the lowest rate of fertilization, suggesting a compensatory consumption to overcome reduced biomass (lower aphid size). Total biomass devoured by C. carnea on all nitrogen fertilizer treatments was not statistically different. Additionally, the heavier host prey influenced by the plant nutrition had an effect on the life history characteristics of green lacewings. The larval duration, pupal weight, pupal duration, fecundity, and male and female longevity were significantly affected by the level of nitrogen fertilization to the aphid's host plants, except for pupal duration when fed on S. avenae. This study showed that quantity of prey supplied to the larvae affects the prey consumption and thereafter the life history characteristics of green lacewings.

Effect of petroleum-derived substances on life history traits of black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scop.) and on the growth and chemical composition of broad bean

“…PDSs may also block the molecular transport in plant cells, which may contribute to the limited development of vegetative and generative organs (Osuagwu et al 2013). Aqueel et al (2014) confirmed that plant quality can affect the feeding of aphids and other consumers with higher trophic level. On high quality plants the aphids produced most offspring and were characterized by a higher population intrinsic growth rate (Stadler et al 2002).…”

Soil pathogen-aphid interactions under differences in soil organic matter and mineral fertilizer

“…Instead, it might respond to extra increase in plant biomass after mineral fertilizer supply, potentially explaining why S . avenae responds after fertilization in some studies [ 50 ], but not in others [ 51 ].…”

Excised Leaf Bioassay: Phenotypic Expression of Natural Resistance in Apple against the Obliquebanded Leafroller

“…An extended time of larval development may signal that poor nutrition or antibiosis is at work. A longer development time, even if it does not lead to increased mortality, would be beneficial because larvae would be exposed to other mortality factors, especially the activities of biological control agents (i.e., predators and parasitoids), which have been shown to positively modulate their consumption behavior towards nutrition-deficient prey [56]. An extended period of larval development could also reduce the possibility of having two complete successful OBLR generations, thereby impacting larval fitness during the early fall, when they prepare for and enter overwintering diapause (as second or third instars) as well as post-overwintering sur- …”