Species Complex and Temporal Associations between Coccinellids and Aphids in Alfalfa Stands in Spain

Abstract

Alfalfa is known to be an important reservoir harboring natural enemies. The reduction in insecticide sprayings in recent years has allowed us to study the coccinellid species complex in this crop and the relationship between these predators and aphids. Alfalfa was sampled by sweep-netting throughout its productive period in several commercial stands each year between 2010 and 2021. The numbers and species of aphids and coccinellids were recorded. Sixteen coccinellid species were found. Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia variegata were, by far, the most prevalent species, with the former dominating during the first and second intercuts, whereas the latter dominated from the third to the fifth intercut. Acyrthosiphon pisum and Therioaphis trifolii were the most abundant aphid species, peaking in the second and fourth intercuts, respectively. Positive correlations were found between the abundance of C. septempunctata and A. pisum at the second intercut, between H. variegata and T. trifolii at the fourth intercut, and between H. variegata and the total number of aphids in the fifth intercut. This study helps to increase the knowledge on the predator–prey relationships of this crop and allows for designing strategies of conservation biological control against aphids.

Comparison of the predatory impacts of indigenous and adventive ladybeetle species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) using a functional response approach

“…In many previous studies, a type II functional response has been documented for various species of predatory ladybeetles when interacting with different prey under diverse laboratory conditions (Hasani et ). In some cases, the abundance of various life stages of predatory ladybeetles was positively correlated with prey densities (Hodek, 1973;Agarwala & Bardhanroy, 1997;Dixon 1997;Koch, 2003;Rana, 2006;Meseguer et al 2021). Therefore, some researchers have questioned the e ciency of predatory insects with type II functional responses as biological control agents.…”

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on alfalfa in Serbia: Seasonal dynamics and pest status

“…The species is monoecious and holocyclic in temperate climates worldwide (Blackman & Eastop, 2022). Originally a Palaearctic species (Blackman & Eastop, 2022), A. pisum is a well-known pest of alfalfa in Europe (Lykouressis & Polatsidis, 1990;Pons et al, 2005;Meseguer et al, 2021), North America (Cuperus et al, 1982), South America (Grez et al, 2014;Ximenez-Embun et al, 2014), the Middle East (Rakhshani et al, 2009) and Australia (Julier et al, 2004). The species rapidly develops dense colonies on the growing parts of alfalfa, i.e.…”

“…It is anholocyclic almost everywhere, but sexual phase has been reported in Germany, India and Argentina (Blackman & Eastop, 2000). In research all over the world, it has been described as a pest of alfalfa but not as the most important one (Pons et al, 2005;Berberet et al, 2009;Rakhshani et al, 2009;Ryalls et al, 2013;Meseguer et al, 2021). It feeds on alfalfa stems and is strongly ant-attended.…”

Disentangling arthropod and plant resources consumed by Orius spp. in peach and alfalfa crops by metagenomic analysis

“…The appropriate habitat manipulation to enhance the presence of these natural enemies increases the effectiveness of Communicated by Alberto Urbaneja. conservation biological control (Landis et al 2008), which is the only cost-effective biological method in arable crops in the Mediterranean region nowadays (Pons and Starý 2003;Lumbierres et al 2007;Pons and Eizaguirre 2009;Pons et al 2011;Meseguer et al 2021;Levi-Mourao et al 2022). To understand and predict the changing patterns of insect abundance in the agroecosystems, it is necessary to consider some factors, such as the trophic interactions between species, the landscape structure (i.e.…”