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Prey choice and substitution in Chilocorus spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Vaughan Hattingh  and
Michael J. Samways
Vaughan Hattingh*
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Michael J. Samways
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
*
V. Hattingh, Outspan Citrus Centre, PO Box 28, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
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Abstract

Choice between prey species by Chilocorus nigritus (Fabricius) and C. bipustulatus (Linnaeus) adults and larvae was determined. Strong preferences were absent and differences in the predators' feeding histories, were not reflected in their choices. The deleterious effects of a prey substitution, during larval development and adult maintenance, were investigated using C. nigritus with supplementary work on C. bipustulatus. These diet changes significantly retarded larval development rate, and subsequent adults were smaller than control individuals. Prey substitutions in the adult diet, suppressed oviposition for several days and feeding rate was reduced at one day after substitution. Larvae were more sensitive than adults to such diet changes. This was not a case of classical unsuitability of the new prey, as the fecundity and feeding rate returned to the same levels as before the substitution after a few days of exposure to the new prey. Furthermore, both prey types were suitable for larval development of C. nigritus when they fed on one exclusively, but unsuitable when substitutions were made. The effects of prey substitutions may possibly be attributed to the presence, in the new prey, of plant toxins, which the predators are initially not physiologically capable of dealing with in large quantities. These results present difficulties for the concepts of monophagy and polyphagy, being less well defined than normally thought. In view of coc-cinellid foraging behaviour and larval habitat selection by adults, the temporary reduction in fitness following a diet change is considered to be adaptive.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 82 , Issue 3 , September 1992 , pp. 327 - 334
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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