Laboruntersuchungen zur Eignung einiger Blattlausarten als Beute der räuberischen Blumenwanze Anthocoris gallarum‐ulmi (DeG.) (Het., Anthocoridae)

Abstract

Laboratory studies on the suitability of some aphid species for food of the predaceous flowerbug Anthocoris gallarum ulmi (DeG.) (Het., Anthocoridae) In order to initiate release of beneficial insects such as the predatory (= predaceous living) flowerbug Anthocoris gallarum‐ulmi, in biological control strategies, it is important that a successful mass rearing is maintained. Feeding tests involving bugs and various aphid species such as the green peach aphid, Mycus persicae, the pea aphid, Acyrtosiphon pisum and the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, were conducted under laboratory conditions (20–25 °C). All three aphid species were readily accepted by all stages of the predator. Larval development of bugs reared on the food of M. persicae and Ac. pisum was approximately 15 days with freshly emerged adults weighing between 1.0 and 1.6 mg. Females were in all cases heavier than their opposite sex partners. Females of peach and pea aphid origin laid on average 57 eggs. Larvae fed only the food of Aphis fabae showed a prolonged developement time averaging 25 days. Furthermore larval mortality (77%) on this food was highest for all tested prey species, and the average weight of adult bugs was half that noted for experimental animals reared on the two other aphid species. Unlike Anthocoris nemorum, laboratory rearing of A. gallarum‐ulmi is easier; the latter exercises no obligatory reproductive diapause. This bug proves therefore to be a potential enemy in the biological control of aphids. Zusammenfassung Um im Rahmen der biologischen Bekämpfung evtl. auch die räuberische Blumenwanze Anthocoris gallarum‐ulmi einsetzen zu können, muß zuvor das Problem der Massenzucht dieses Predators gelöst werden. Zu diesem Zweck wurden Versuche zur Aufzucht der Wanze durchgeführt, wobei als Nahrung die Blattläuse Mycus persicae, Acyrtosiphon pisum und Aphis fabae dienten. Unter Laborbe‐dingungen (20–25 °C) wurden alle 3 Blattlausarten von allen Freßstadien der Wanze als Nahrung akzeptiert. Die Larvenentwicklung der Wanze bei Darbietung von M. persicae und Ac. pisum als Nahrung dauerte ca. 15 Tage. Die daraus hervorgehenden Adulten wogen, frisch geschlüpft, zwischen 1,0 und 1,6 mg, wobei Weibchen stets schwerer waren als Männchen. Weibliche Wanzen, die mit Ac. pisum bzw. M. persicae ernährt wurden, legten i. M. 55 bzw. 72 Eier ab. Dagegen zeigten Wanzenlarven, die mit Aphis fabae gefüttert wurden, mit i. M. 25 Tagen eine verlängerte Entwick‐lungszeit. Die Mortalitätsquote der Wanzenlarven war mit 77% bei dieser Nahrung die höchste der 3 Ernährungsarten, und das mittlere Gewicht der Adulten betrug nur etwa halb so viel wie bei Verwendung der beiden anderen Blattlausarten als Nahrung. Im Vergleich zu Anthocoris nemorum ist die Laborzucht von A. gallarum‐ulmi leichter, weil letztere keine obligatorische Reproduktions‐Diapause durchmacht. Diese Wanzenart eignet sich daher prinzipiell als ein Mittel zur biologischen Bekämpfung von Blattläusen.

Two Anthocoris bugs as predators of glasshouse aphids – voracity and prey preference

“…Preferences for aphid species were tested in pair‐wise combinations with M. persicae as the reference species. Myzus persicae has proved to be nutritionally well suited as prey for different species of Anthocoris (Hofsvang, 1976; Lauenstein, 1977; Ruth & Dwumfour, 1989). In each combination, similar sized instars of each aphid species were chosen in an attempt to exclude the influence of prey‐size on the choices made by the predators.…”

“…The fifth aphid species used was the black bean aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli, which was included in the preference experiment to reveal aspects of food quality on prey preference. Aphis fabae has been demonstrated to be a nutritiously inferior aphid prey to A. nemorum (Anderson, 1962b; Lauenstein, 1977) and A. nemoralis (Anderson, 1962b), as well as to the related Anthocoris gallarum‐ulmi (DeGeer) (Ruth & Dwumfour, 1989).…”

Suitability of greenbugs, cotton aphids, and Heliothis virescens eggs for development and reproduction of Orius insidiosus

“…Both of these aphid species can inflict considerable damage to their respective host plants (Young & Teetes, 1977;Slosser et al, 1989). Some species of anthocorids have been reported to prey on aphids (Anderson, 1962;Dixon & Russel, 1972;Aveling, 1981;Ruth & Dwumfour, 1989), including a congener of O. insidiosus, O. albidipennis (Salim etal., 1987). Some species of anthocorids have been reported to prey on aphids (Anderson, 1962;Dixon & Russel, 1972;Aveling, 1981;Ruth & Dwumfour, 1989), including a congener of O. insidiosus, O. albidipennis (Salim etal., 1987).…”

“…Orius insidiosus has been reported to feed on aphids (Barber, 1936;Dicke & Jarvis, 1962;Holdsworth, 1970;McCaffrey & Horsburgh, 1986), but its impact on aphid populations and the suitability of aphids as a food source for the predator are unknown. Some species of anthocorids have been reported to prey on aphids (Anderson, 1962;Dixon & Russel, 1972;Aveling, 1981;Ruth & Dwumfour, 1989), including a congener of O. insidiosus, O. albidipennis (Salim etal., 1987). The objective of this experiment was to determine the development, fecundity, and longevity of the predator, O. insidiosus, when reared on greenbug, cotton aphid, or eggs of tobacco budworm with green beans or water.…”