Life tables of the ladybird beetles Harmonia axyridis, Cycloneda sanguinea and Hippodamia convergens reared on the greenbug Schizaphis graminum

Abstract

The Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a biological control agent that also may adversely impact other coccinellid species. Life table parameters were used to assess the population growth potential and the effects of interspecific competition between the invasive lady beetle H. axyridis and the native coccinellids Hippodamia convergens and Cycloneda sanguinea (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under laboratory conditions at 25 °C, using Schizaphis graminum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as prey. The effects of the abiotic factors air temperature and humidity on these coccinellids by conducting a survey in a sorghum crop under average conditions of 18.1 °C and 53.5%, respectively, were also assessed. Fecundity was higher in C. sanguinea (1021.0 eggs per female) and H. axyridis (1029.2 eggs per female) than in H. convergens (484.5 eggs per female). The majority of the life table parameters showed no significant differences. The instantaneous rates of population increase (rm) of C. sanguinea, H. axyridis, and H. convergens were 0.195, 0.198, and 0.194 d–1, respectively. Based on the life table parameters obtained in this study, all three species of Coccinellidae showed a similar capacity to control a S. graminum population.

Insect pests and natural enemies associated with lettuce Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae) in an aquaponics system

“…Ladybugs are polyphagous, feeding on aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and mites 68 . Cycloneda sanguinea and H. convergens are aphidophagous species 69 – 72 , while E. connexa feeds on aphids, mites, and lepidopteran eggs 73 , 74 . Hippodamia convergens is a potential control agent of the lettuce pests M. persicae and Thrips tabaci (Lind) as noted by 75 .…”

Examining Innovative Technologies: Nano-Chelated Fertilizers for Management of Wheat Aphid (Schizaphis graminum Rondani)

“…Considering that research on S. graminum has been ongoing for several years and most reports on its pathogenicity date back to past years, recent studies continue to focus on its control and life cycle, highlighting the significance of this pest. Recent studies have primarily focused on controlling the wheat aphid through various approaches, including the use of Bacillus subtilis [ 11 ], predators such as ladybirds [ 12 ], soil amendments [ 13 ], insecticides [ 14 ], as well as genetic resistance techniques like QTL mapping [ 15 ]. Recently, the use of nano-materials as another component of integrated pest management, aiming to enhance plant resistance and weaken pest infestation, has received significant attention [ 16 ].…”