Predatory hoverflies select their oviposition site according to aphid host plant and aphid species

in Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2007), 125(1), 13-21

The hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) is an abundant and efficient aphid-specific predator. Several aphidophagous parasitoids and predators are known to respond positively to ... [more ▼]

The hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) is an abundant and efficient aphid-specific predator. Several aphidophagous parasitoids and predators are known to respond positively to aphid-infested plants. Semiochemicals from the latter association usually mediate predator/parasitoid foraging behavior toward sites appropriate for offspring fitness. In this study, we investigated the effect of aphid host plant and aphid species on foraging and oviposition behavior of E. balteatus. Behavioral observations were conducted using the Noldus Observer v. 5.0, which allows observed insect behavior to be subdivided into different stages. Additionally, the influence of aphid species and aphid host plant on offspring fitness was tested in a second set of experiments. Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris and Megoura viciae Buckton were equally attractive for E. balteatus whereas Aphis fabae Scopoli (all Homoptera: Aphididae) were less attractive. These results were correlated with (i) the number of eggs laid, which was significantly higher for the two first aphid species, and (ii) the fitness of hoverfly larvae, pupae, and adults. Two solanaceous plant species, Solanum nigrum L. and Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae), which were infested with Myzus persicae Sulzer (Homoptera: Aphididae), were also compared using the same approach. Discrimination between these two M. persicae host plants was observed, with S. tuberosum being preferred as an oviposition site by the predatory hoverfly. Larval and adult fitness was correlated with the behavioral observations. Our results demonstrated the importance of the prey-host plant association on the choice of the oviposition site by an aphid predator, which is here shown to be related to offspring fitness. [less ▲]

Aphids adapt their alarm pheromone production to presence or absence of conspecifics

Poster (2007)

Role of primary symbionts on alarm pheromone production and relation with proteome patterns of aphid with or without symbiotic bacteria

Poster (2007)

Assessment of oviposition site quality by predatory hoverflies : effects of larval tracks

Poster (2007)

Intraguild interactions of aphidophagous predators in fields: effect of Coccinella septempunctata and Episyrphus balteatus occurrence on aphid infested plants.

in Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences (2007), 72(3), 381-90

Intraguild relations between beneficial insects have become a major research topic in biological pest control. In order to understand the intraguild competitions between aphidophagous populations in ... [more ▼]

Intraguild relations between beneficial insects have become a major research topic in biological pest control. In order to understand the intraguild competitions between aphidophagous populations in natural conditions, a field experiment was carried out in the experimental farm of the Gembloux Agricultural University. As biological control of pests involve a community of diverse natural enemies, this experiment firstly aimed to assess the aphidophagous predator diversity and abundance in green pea (Pisum sativum) field and secondly to investigate the impact of the large natural occurrence of C. septempunctata on the aphidophagous beneficial dispersion and efficiency as aphid biological control agents in pea field. Visual observations were weekly performed throughout the 2006 growing season. The pea aphids were attacked by several predatory groups, mainly ladybird beetles and hoverflies. Higher densities of ladybirds and hoverflies were recorded in the beginning of July, associated with an aphid occurrence peak. Using net cage system in the field, the particular intraguild relations between added C. septempunctata or E. balteatus and the natural beneficial arrivals and dispersion were observed. The E. batteatus (eggs and larvae) presence inhibited other aphidophagous predators presence on the aphid infested plants. Lower abundance of E. balteatus was observed on aphid infested plants already colonised by C. septempunctata. To explore more accurately the oviposition and predation behaviours of ladybirds and hoverflies and to determine the chemical factors that could influence these behaviours, current researches are performed in laboratory and will be discussed to promote efficient biological control of aphids by natural enemies. [less ▲]

Physicochemical and functional properties of typical tunisian drink: date palm sap (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

in Food Biophysics (2007), 2(2), 76-82

How does the age of hoverfly females affect their reproduction?

in Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences (2007), 72(3),

Protéomique et entomologie moléculaire : étude des relations plantes – pucerons

in Proceedings Congrès SFEAP (2007)

Évaluation de la diversité des pucerons et de leurs ennemies en grandes cultures à proximité de parcelles d’orties

in Notes Fauniques de Gembloux (2007), 60

Molecular cloning and functional expression of a new aphid isoprenyl diphosphate synthase

Poster (2006, December 18)