Nectar-Feeding by a Predatory Ambush Bug (Heteroptera: Phymatidae) That Hunts on Flowers

Effect of floral and extrafloral resources on predation of Aphis spiraecola by Harmonia axyridis on Apple

“…Buckwheat was shown to increase parasitism rates of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in New Zealand apple orchards (Stephens et al, 1998). A variety of other flowering plants have also been shown to increase biological control in other systems (White et al, 1995;Hickman and Wratten, 1996;MacLeod, 1999;Yong, 2003;Tylianakis et al, 2004). Over a larger and more complex scale of an orchard and for longer time periods the presence of nectar and pollen from buckwheat could help enhance biological control.…”

Prey Capture by a Generalist Predator on Flowering and Nonflowering Ambush Sites: Are Inflorescences Higher Quality Hunting Sites?

“…However, the site use patterns reported by Yong (2002) and Kevan and Greco (2001) are not necessarily inconsistent with the prey capture results that I found in this study, because a preference for ßowering sites could be indicative of responses to site type differences that are unrelated to prey availability. In particular, ßowers have nectar, which can be used by ambush bugs as an alternative food resource in the absence of prey (Yong 2003). Indeed, given the low prey capture rates that I observed for the ambush bugs in this study, having the ability to supplement prey with alternative plant foods such as nectar could have signiÞcant consequences for an ambush bugÕs Þtness (Yong 2002).…”

“…The ßowersÕ attractiveness to pollinators presumably results in these sites being areas where prey are potentially present at high abundance (Sholes 1984, De Souza andMartins 2004). In addition, many predatory insects and spiders may be able to beneÞt directly from ßoral resources by consuming nectar and pollen (Hagen 1962, Pollard et al 1995, Naranjo and Gibson 1996, Taylor and Foster 1996, Yong 2003. The plants, in turn, may also beneÞt from the predators, such as through reductions in damage caused by herbivores (Louda 1982, Romero andVasconcellosNeto 2004); however, this beneÞt may be counterbalanced by the potential detriment to the plant caused by reduced pollinator activity resulting from the predatorsÕ presence (e.g., Morse 1986a, Elliott and Elliott 1991, Wilkinson et al 1991, Dukas and Morse 2003, Heiling and Herberstein 2004.…”

Influence of hop yard ground flora on invertebrate pests of hops and their natural enemies

“…2003; Patt et al. 2003; Yong 2003; Lundgren and Wiedenmann 2004; Patt and Pfannenstiel 2008). Non‐crop plants may also harbour alternative prey for generalist predators, attracting them into the crop in advance of high numbers of pests.…”

“…Numerous studies have indicated that increased plant diversity can reduce pest pressure and increase populations of beneficial insects in agricultural systems (Landis et al 2000;Hartwig and Ammon 2002;Zehnder et al 2007). A variety of mechanisms probably contributes to these observed effects: for example, the adults of many parasitic wasps feed on either nectar or insect honeydew, and only reach their full biotic potential (by either living longer and/or laying more eggs) when such resources are available (English-Loeb et al 2003;Wä ckers 2004;Begum et al 2006); similarly, various predators (including some coccinellids, anthocorids, chrysopids, phymatids, spiders and predatory mites) can either sustain themselves on pollen or nectar during periods of prey scarcity, or perform better when such resources are available (Vogelei and Greissl 1989;Grafton-Cardwell et al 1999;Broufas and Koveos 2000;Jackson et al 2001;Nomikou et al 2003;Patt et al 2003;Yong 2003;Lundgren and Wiedenmann 2004;Patt and Pfannenstiel 2008). Non-crop plants may also harbour alternative prey for generalist predators, attracting them into the crop in advance of high numbers of pests.…”