Quantitative food webs of herbivore and related beneficial community in non–crop and crop habitats

in Biological Control (2011), 58

Identification of limonene as a potential kairomone of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

in European Journal of Entomology (2010), 107

Effect of stinging nettle habitats on aphidophagous predators and parasitoids in wheat and green pea fields with particular attention to the invader Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

in Entomological Science (2009), 12

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 ▲]

Olfactory responses of the multicoloured Asian ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis to aphid and host plant volatile releases

in Abstract book (2007)