Author
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LEGASPI, JESUSA |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2014 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is a generalist predator known to feed on over 75 insect species, several of which are important invasive insect pests. A substantial body of knowledge from our research studies on the ecology of this predator will be presented. We studied this predator’s basic life history, development, reproduction, predation, gross physiology, and population dynamics. Very little work has been done on ovigeny (process of egg production and development in adult insects) in insect predators. “Pro-ovigenic” adult insects emerge with a fixed complement of mature eggs; whereas, “synovigenic” species continuously produce and develop eggs throughout adulthood. Our research on ovigeny of P. maculiventris is one of the first studies on predators. We documented that P. maculiventris are synovigenic. Biochemical assessments of lipids, soluble proteins and yolk proteins of P. maculiventris indicated that quality of prey species correlates to reproductive fitness of the predator. Determining nutritional factors from prey as an indicator of predator fitness will contribute to development of artificial diets for predators and efficient use of the latter in biological control. The results of our research will aid in developing integrated and sustainable pest management strategies against major insect pests in agricultural crops and forest systems. Technical Abstract: The spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is a generalist predator known to feed on over 75 insect species, several of which are important invasive insect pests. A substantial body of knowledge from our research studies on the ecology of this predator will be presented. We studied this predator’s basic life history, development, reproduction, predation, gross physiology, and population dynamics. Very little work has been done on ovigeny (process of egg production and development in adult insects) in insect predators. “Pro-ovigenic” adult insects emerge with a fixed complement of mature eggs; whereas, “synovigenic” species continuously produce and develop eggs throughout adulthood. Our research on ovigeny of P. maculiventris is one of the first studies on predators. We documented that P. maculiventris are synovigenic. Biochemical assessments of lipids, soluble proteins and yolk proteins of P. maculiventris indicated that quality of prey species correlates to reproductive fitness of the predator. Determining nutritional factors from prey as an indicator of predator fitness will contribute to development of artificial diets for predators and efficient use of the latter in biological control. The results of our research will aid in developing integrated and sustainable pest management strategies against major insect pests in agricultural crops and forest systems. |
