A simple test of prey (aphid) recognition by laboratory reared Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Authors: Riddick, Eric; Rojas, Maria - Guadalupe; Morales Ramos, Juan

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The natural enemy producer industry is in desperate need to identify natural enemies that can be mass reared on cost effective foods over multiple generations without losing their capacity to recognize, attack, and consume prey (pests) immediately upon release on infested small fruits and vegetables in protected culture (greenhouses, and high tunnels). This study evaluated the prey (aphid) recognition behavior of the mass reared, pink spotted lady beetle adults in laboratory arenas. Regardless of non-aphid food source, predator adults readily attacked aphids. The hunger level (24 hours vs 48 hours without food) had little or no effect on the rate of attack. Adult females were occasionally more voracious than males; palatable aphids were readily consumed but non-palatable ones were often not. In conclusion, mass-reared adults recognized palatable and non-palatable aphids despite having no multi-generational history of feeding on aphids. The simple methods herein could be used by the biocontrol (natural enemy producer) industry to quickly test the quality, i.e., suitability of mass reared predators prior to augmentative release for aphid control in greenhouses and high tunnels.

Technical Abstract: The predatory coccinellid Coleomegilla maculata (pink-spotted lady beetle) has been identified as a promising predator for mass production and release into greenhouses and high tunnels to control aphids on small fruits and vegetables. This study tested the hypothesis that mass reared C. maculata, without any exposure to aphids for multiple generations, could recognize, attack, and consume live aphids in laboratory arenas. Aphid adults, one palatable species and one non-palatable species, were collected from host plants (weeds) during two consecutive seasons. The time (seconds) that C. maculata adults required to recognize and consume aphids, partially or completely, was recorded. Regardless of rearing food source (factitious food or an artificial diet), C. maculata adults readily attacked aphids. Adult females were occasionally more voracious than males; palatable aphids were readily consumed but non-palatable ones were not. In conclusion, mass reared C. maculata adults recognized aphids despite having no multi-generational history of feeding on them. The methods described herein could be used by the biocontrol (natural enemy producer) industry to quickly test the suitability of mass reared coccinellids prior to augmentative release for aphid control in protected culture.