Comparison cannibalistic behavior between two ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata L. and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) under laboratory experiments

Abstract :

The cannibalistic behaviour of various developmental stages of Coccinella septempunctata L. and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) were investigated at satiety and starved conditions. Both species were cannibalistic. However the rate of cannibalism was greater in the former species. In all experiments and in both coccinellids, no significant differences were detected at satiety conditions but at starved conditions, a significant effect of different predator and prey instar were recorded. Cannibalistic rate of ladybirds increased at low densities of Schizaphis graminum(Rondani) population and this is because of high relative frequently of encounters between predator coccinellids and the aphid


Keyword :

Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia variegata, Schizaphis graminum, cannibalism


Author(s) : Aleosfoor, M., Mortazavi, N., Poorkashkooli, M.
Downloads : 1745
Published Issue : 2014 Vol. 9 Number 2


2014 Vol. 9 Number 2