Alternative prey influence the predation of mosquito larvae by three water bug species (Heteroptera: Nepidae)

AbstractThe indirect interactions among multiple prey sharing a common predator characterize apparent competition. In conservation biological control involving mosquitoes and controphic prey against generalist insect predators, apparent competition may be a crucial factor determining the extent of success. The possible influence of apparent competition on mosquito prey consumption by three water bugs (Heteroptera: Nepidae): Ranatra elongata, Ranatra filiformis, and Laccotrephes griseus was assessed under laboratory conditions. Tadpoles (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), chironomid larvae, snails (Racesina luteola) and fish fingerlings (Labeo rohita) were considered as alternative prey under two prey or multi prey conditions against instar IV larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus as target prey. Under two prey conditions all the predators exhibited a preference (significant Manly’s α) for mosquito larvae, against fish fingerlings by R. filiformis. In the presence of multiple prey, mosquito larvae were selected by the predators. Using the ratio of mosquito selectivity in two prey and multi-prey conditions as a measure of apparent competition, chironomid larvae had greatest effect in suppressing mosquito selectivity for R. elongata, and fish fingerlings for R. filiformis and L. griseus. It seems that the prey preference of R. elongata, R. filiformis and L. griseus may differentially evoke apparent competition among the prey. In the aquatic community where these predators and prey coexist, mosquito larvae may benefit from apparent competition that reduces their vulnerability to predators. The identity of the alternative prey appears to be an important factor for shielding the vulnerability of mosquito prey to the generalist insect predators.

Download Full-text

Free living nematodes as alternative prey for soil predatory mites: An interdisciplinary case study of conservation biological control

Biological Control ◽

10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.02.007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 132 ◽

pp. 128-134 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

L.H. Azevedo ◽

L.G. Leite ◽

J.G. Chacon-Orozco ◽

M.F.P. Moreira ◽

M.P. Ferreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Predatory Mites ◽

Conservation Biological Control ◽

Alternative Prey ◽

Free Living

Download Full-text

Factors influencing the predation rates of Anisops breddini (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) feeding on mosquito larvae

Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research ◽

10.4081/jear.2014.4036 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 107 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. Weterings ◽

K.C. Vetter ◽

C. Umponstira

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Prey Density ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Prey Type ◽

Control Agent ◽

Mosquito Larvae ◽

Predator Density ◽

Water Bugs ◽

Predation Rates

Notonectidae are a family of water bugs that are known to be important predators of mosquito larvae and have great potential in the biological control of vector mosquitoes. An experiment was conducted to assess mosquito larvae predation by Anisops breddini, a species common to Southeast Asia. The predation rates were recorded in context of prey density, predator density, predator size and prey type. Predation rates were strongly affected by prey type and less by prey density and predator density. They ranged between 1.2 prey items per day for pupae of Aedes aegeypti and Armigeres moultoni to 5.9 for Ae. aegypti larvae. Compared with studies on other Notonectidae species, the predation rates appear low, which is probably caused by the relative small size of the specimens used in this study. An. breddini is very common in the region and often found in urban areas; therefore, the species has potential as a biological control agent.

Download Full-text

Effects of flowers on parasitoid longevity and fecundity

New Zealand Plant Protection ◽

10.30843/nzpp.2003.56.6018 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 56 ◽

pp. 239-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S.D. Wratten ◽

B.I. Lavandero ◽

J. Tylianakis ◽

D. Vattala ◽

T. Cilgi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

New Zealand ◽

Classical Biological Control ◽

Conservation Biological Control ◽

Alternative Prey ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Floral Nectar ◽

Control Efficacy ◽

Research Questions

Conservation biological control (CBC) enhances biological control efficacy by providing pollen nectar shelter and/or alternative prey to biological control agents It is a fastgrowing subdiscipline of biological control with notable recent successes In contrast classical biological control in spite of its long history has not risen above a 10 success rate since 1880 and can have muchpublicised negative consequences This paper presents recent data on CBC research in brassicas in New Zealand and discusses how understanding and effectiveness can be improved The provision of floral nectar to parasitoids such as Diadegma can enhance longevity from two days in the presence of water only to 30 days and can lead to higher fecundity The paper outlines key research questions for the future

Download Full-text

Influence of density on intraguild predation of aquatic Hemiptera (Heteroptera): implications in biological control of mosquito

Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research ◽

10.4081/jear.2014.1977 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. Brahma ◽

G. Aditya ◽

D. Sharma ◽

N. Saha ◽

M. Kundu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Intraguild Predation ◽

Mosquito Larvae ◽

Low Density ◽

Biological Regulation ◽

Interacting Species ◽

The Mean ◽

Predator System ◽

Water Bugs

The water bugs Diplonychus rusticus (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) and Anisops bouvieri (Kirkaldy) (Heteroptera: Notonectidae) co-occur in wetlands sharing mosquito larvae as prey. As a consequence, an asymmetrical intraguild predation (IGP) involving D. rusticus as IG predator and A. bouvieri as IG prey can be possible, the outcome of which may vary with the relative density of interacting species. Based on this proposition density dependent effects on the IG prey and shared prey mortality were assessed in the laboratory using varying numbers of IG predator and shared prey (IV instar Culex quinquefasciatus larva). In contrast to single predator system, mosquito larvae were proportionately less vulnerable to predation in IGP, at low density of shared prey. An increase in density of mosquito decreased the mortality of IG prey (A. bouvieri), but the mean mortality of the IG prey increased with the density of IG predator, in IGP system. Increase in density of mosquito and D. rusticus enhanced risk to predation of mosquito while reducing the mortality of A. bouvieri. Interaction between D. rusticus and A. bouvieri as a part of IGP system provides a possible reason of coexistence of mosquito immature along with predators in wetlands. Biological regulation of mosquitoes may be affected, if appropriate predator numbers are not available in the habitats.

Download Full-text

Conservation biological control of arthropod pests under a changing climate

10.1603/ice.2016.93435 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Klaus Birkhofer

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Conservation Biological Control ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Arthropod Pests

Download Full-text

Ecology of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae in temperate agroecosystems: Potential for conservation biological control

Biological Control ◽

10.1016/j.biocontrol.2007.07.007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 145-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 267

Author(s):

Nicolai V. Meyling ◽

Jørgen Eilenberg

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Beauveria Bassiana ◽

Entomopathogenic Fungi ◽

Metarhizium Anisopliae ◽

Conservation Biological Control

Download Full-text

Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Nova Scotia, Canada wild blueberry fields: prospects for biological control

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/tce.2012.76 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 144 (6) ◽

pp. 779-791 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

G.C. Cutler ◽

J.M. Renkema ◽

C.G. Majka ◽

J.M. Sproule

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Nova Scotia ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Conservation Biological Control ◽

Carabid Beetles ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

Wild Blueberries ◽

Wild Blueberry

AbstractThe Carabidae (Coleoptera) are a diverse family of beetles with almost 300 species identified in Nova Scotia, Canada. Carabid beetle communities have been studied in several agricultural systems, but not wild blueberries, an important crop in eastern Canada. In the interest of potentially developing conservation biological control programs in wild blueberry, we collected Carabidae in crop (fruit-bearing) and sprout (vegetative) blueberry fields in Nova Scotia in order to assess species diversity and abundance over space and time. Over 3200 specimens were collected, representing 51 species. A large portion of collected specimens (39%) were nonnative, and the most abundant species were generally predacious and synanthropic. Species diversity tended to be higher near forest edges than further into fields, but not for all abundant species. Several of the most prominent predators showed significant differences in preference of crop versus sprout fields, distribution throughout fields, and seasonable abundance. These findings have implications for conservation biological control efforts with carabid beetles against several insect pests in wild blueberry.

Download Full-text