Tanggap fungsional predator Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) dan Micraspis lineata (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) terhadap kutukebul Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) dan kutudaun Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and the aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) are important pests in tomato and chilli pepper. These pests directly attack and as a viral vector can decrease the production of tomato and chili pepper. Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) and Micraspis lineata (Thunberg) are predator beetles of B. tabaci and M. persicae. This study aimed to know the potential predation of M. sexmaculatus and M. lineata as a predator of B. tabaci and M. persicae. Completely randomized factorial design using 2 factors consist of type and density of prey with 3 replicates used in this study. The potency of predatory coccinellidae as predator of B. tabaci and M. persicae was evaluated in 2 observations, i.e. predation and functional response assay. Based on logistic regression analysis, both of M. sexmaculatus and M. lineata showed characteristic of type I functional, this means that the higher density of prey, the ability and predation rate of M. sexmaculatus and M. lineata were also increased. The predator M. sexmaculatus and M. lineata were more effective to control M. persicae than B. tabaci. M. sexmaculatus was the effective predator to control adult of M. persicae.

Selective predation by Neomysis mercedis in Lake Washington

Ahstroct Feeding experiments and examination of gut contents show that Neomysis mercedis is an effective predator on zooplankton in Lake Washington. Daphnia is consistently preferred to other prey; Diaptomus and Cyclops copepodids and nauplii are always underrepresented in mysid diets. This pattern of selectivity is consistent with the hypothesis that a large population of Neomysis formerly excluded Daphnia from the lake.

Effects of sticky traps on Dacnusa sibirica, Diglyphus isaea and Nesidiocoris tenuis

The potential of commonly used sticky traps (yellow, blue and transparent) to attract the two major natural enemies of the leaf miners, Dacnusa sibirica Telenga (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diglyphus isaea (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was recorded. In addition, we studied their efficacy to capture the effective predator Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) which in high population levels may cause damage on tomato crop. The captures of D. sibirica and D. isaea were negligible. Captures of N. tenuis adults were significantly higher on yellow and blue colour traps than on transparent traps. The difference of captures between yellow and blue traps was not significant. Furthermore, the effectiveness on N. tenuis was much increased when the traps were established next to the tomato plant apex. The results show that the use of coloured sticky traps and release of the leafminer parasitoids may be combined. Furthermore, it was clearly shown that sticky traps may not be compatible with the release of the generalist predator N. tenuis; however, yellow and blue traps should be further evaluated for its mass trapping.

Predation of apple leafcurling midge Dasineura mali by Sejanus albisignata

The predatory mirid bug Sejanus albisignata has been observed feeding on apple leafcurling midge (ALCM) eggs but quantitative data on its potential as a predator of ALCM are lacking Two methods were trialled to assess predation of ALCM by S albisignata In a laboratory experiment apple shoots infested with freshly laid ALCM eggs were contained with and without a S albisignata adult and in a field experiment paper bags were secured over shoots with ALCM eggs and individual S albisignata nymphs were introduced into half of these There were significant reductions of surviving midge larvae on shoots confined with adult predators and reduced numbers of midgeinfested leaves and larvae on bagged shoots with S albisignata nymphs Results from these nonchoice trials indicate that S albisignata can be an effective predator of ALCM More detailed feeding studies would determine if adult and immature S albisignata have a preference for midge eggs or larvae

Assassin bug uses aggressive mimicry to lure spider prey

Assassin bugs ( Stenolemus bituberus ) hunt web-building spiders by invading the web and plucking the silk to generate vibrations that lure the resident spider into striking range. To test whether vibrations generated by bugs aggressively mimic the vibrations generated by insect prey, we compared the responses of spiders to bugs with how they responded to prey, courting male spiders and leaves falling into the web. We also analysed the associated vibrations. Similar spider orientation and approach behaviours were observed in response to vibrations from bugs and prey, whereas different behaviours were observed in response to vibrations from male spiders and leaves. Peak frequency and duration of vibrations generated by bugs were similar to those generated by prey and courting males. Further, vibrations from bugs had a temporal structure and amplitude that were similar to vibrations generated by leg and body movements of prey and distinctly different to vibrations from courting males or leaves, or prey beating their wings. To be an effective predator, bugs do not need to mimic the full range of prey vibrations. Instead bugs are general mimics of a subset of prey vibrations that fall within the range of vibrations classified by spiders as ‘prey’.

Juvenile dispersion and use of habitat by the endangered Kakerori Pomarea dimidiata (Monarchinae) on Rarotonga, Cook Islands

The Kakerori (Rarotongan flycatcher) Pomarea dimidiata is a small, territorial passerine, endemic to Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Now listed as endangered, the total known population in August 1991 was 48 individuals. Kakerori are found in the steep, forested inland of southern Rarotonga. Newly fledged young remain high in the canopy near the natal nest. However, 4?5 months later they occupy spurs and small ridges immediately surrounding the parental territory, while 7?8 months after fledging, these young birds are most often found on high, exposed ridges where they form small cohorts. The daily activity budget for Kakerori is dominated by calling and looking, and the most common method of feeding is gleaning. Overall, successful territories (those that produce fledged young) have a lower canopy, fewer ferns, and trees with a larger total basal area, than unsuccessful territories (those that do not produce fledged young). Survival of this species depends on continued management of the population, including further research on habitat requirements and effective predator control.