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PREDATORY BEHAVIOR OF THE CLERID BEETLE THANASIMUS DUBIUS (COLEOPTERA: CLERIDAE) ON THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

J. L. Frazier ,
T. E. Nebeker ,
R. F. Mizell  and
W. H. Calvert
J. L. Frazier
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
T. E. Nebeker
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
R. F. Mizell
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
W. H. Calvert
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
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Abstract

The behavior of adults of clerid beetle Thanasimus dubius (F.) preying upon adult southern pine beetles, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman, in an arena in the laboratory is described by classifying the acts according to their consequences. A sequence of five stereotyped acts is performed by the predator: either searching or ambush, seizure of prey, alignment of prey, consumption of prey, and grooming. Handling time by the predator consists of the sums of the durations of the four acts of seizure through grooming, which was not significantly different for male and female predators, but was significantly longer for male prey (13.81 min) than for female prey (10.49 min). Consumption of prey (8–9 min) is the major component of handling time. Predators searched or waited in ambush an average of 5.8 mm before seizing a prey, and captured prey with an efficiency of 72%. Blinding predators had no significant effect on their efficiency at capturing prey. Maxillary and labial palpectomy alone or in combination significantly reduced efficiency of capture, and reduced numbers of prey consumed.

Résumé

Le comportement des adultes du cléride Thanasimus dubius (F.), prédateur des adultes du dendroctone méridional du pin, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman, a été étudié en arène au laboratoire, et décrit en classifiant les actes accomplis d’après leurs conséquences. Le prédateur effectue une séquence de cinq actes stéréotypes : recherche de la proie ou ambuscade, assaut de la proie, orientation de la proie, consommation de la proie, et nettoyage. Le temps de manipulation ("handling time") défini comme étant la somme des quatre derniers actes (l’assaut jusqu’au nettoyage) ne diffère pas significativement pour les mâles et les femelles du prédateur, mais se révèle significativement plus long pour les proies mâles (13.81 min) que pour les proies femelles (10.49 min). La consommation de la proie (8–9 min) est la composante majeure du temps de manipulation. Le prédateur recherche sa proie ou s’embusque pour une durée moyenne de 5.8 min avant d’assaillir sa proie, laquelle est capturée avec une efficacité de 72%. L’efficacité de capture n’est pas affectée de façon significative lorsque la vue du prédateur est rendue inopérante. L’ablation des palpes maxillaires ou labiaux, ou des deux à la fois, réduit significativement l’efficacité de capture et le nombre de proies consommées.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 113 , Issue 1 , January 1981 , pp. 35 - 43
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1981

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