Laboratory Investigations Reveal thatHarmonia axyridis(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Is a Poor Host forDinocampus coccinellae(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Brazil

Abstract

Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) is an Asian coccinellid released in several places to act as a biological control agent of aphids. Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank, 1802) is an endoparasite that uses more than 40 coccinellid species as hosts. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between D. coccinellae and H. axyridis and to determine the impact of the parasitoid on the establishment capacity of H. axyridis. It was also investigate the influence of host on the development of D. coccinellae using other Coccinellidae species as hosts: Cycloneda sanguinea, (L., 1763) Cycloneda pulchella (Klug, 1829), Eriopis connexa (Germar, 1824), and Olla v-nigrum (Mulsant, 1866). In no-choice tests, pupa was the least attacked stage, and the fourth instar and adults the most attacked. In choice tests, the pupa was less attacked when combined with all the other stages, and the fourth instar and adults the most attacked. There was statistical difference only for fecundity, fertility, and number of eggs/day, with higher values found in the non-parasitized control group. Due to the low rate of parasitism it is believed that D. coccinellae has little impact on the populations of this coccinellid in Brazil. However, it is noteworthy that an increase in H. axyridis coverage areas can affect the populations of D. coccinellae, as in some places of occurrence, H. axyridis has become the predominant species of Coccinellidae. The result can be a decrease in populations of this species of parasitoid or its better adaptation to the new host.

Interactions between the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis and the Parasitoid Dinocampus coccinellae

“…The investigations carried out by de Castro-Guedes and de Almeida [43] showed that H. axyridis was also a poor host for D. coccinellae in the laboratory. The overall results of our study, however, indicated a better possibility of adaptation by D. coccinellae to H. axyridis in the laboratory than in the field.…”

The Biology and Ecology of Parasitoid Wasps of Predatory Arthropods

“…This ladybird species has been widely introduced as a biological control agent, but due to its harmful effects on native coccinellids and adverse effects on human health and fruit production, it is now considered invasive in many parts of its introduced range (11,14). Several studies have shown that H. axyridis is a poor host for D. coccinellae, and therefore, the effectiveness of this parasitoid to control this invasive species is limited (11,22,26,31,67,127). Field observations of rates of parasitism of H. axyridis by D. coccinellae vary between 0% and 30%, whereas rates can reach up to almost 50% for other coccinellid hosts (18).…”

Environmental Impacts of Arthropods as Biological Control Agents

“…Harmonia axyridis behaviour has been studied in the laboratory at different temperatures for the evaluation of its performance as a predator, showing that there can be competition with the native species (Castro et al 2011, Castro-Guedes & Almeida 2016. It shows a high rate of consumption (Santos et al…”

“…In addition, some birds species are also considered as natural enemies of H. axyridis, such as Picus canus (Gmelin, 1788) (Piciformes: Picidae) and Sitta europaea (L. 1758) (Passeriformes: Sittidae). The parasitoid Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank, 1802) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), which occurs in sympatry with H. axyridis, seems to be a main natural enemy of this species and has been reported as larvae, pupae and adult parasitoid, with a low rate of parasitism (Hoogendoorn & Heimpel 2002, Koyama & Majerus 2008, Berkvens et al 2010, Castro-Guedes & Almeida 2016. Strongygaster triangulifera (Loew, 1863) (Diptera: Tachinidae), Medina luctuosa (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera: Tachinidae), Medina separata (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera: Tachinidae) ( Kenis et al 2008), Oomyzus scaposus (Thomson, 1878) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) (Riddick et al 2009) and Phalacrotophora philaxyridis (Disney, 1997) (Diptera: Phoridae) (Comont et al 2014) are also used as biological controls for H. axyridis.…”