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Feeding potential and functional response of Oenopia sauzeti (Mulsant) against potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2025

Priyanka Sharma Open the ORCID record for Priyanka Sharma [Opens in a new window] ,
Prem Lal Sharma ,
Subhash Chander Verma ,
Shikha Thakur ,
Shubham Sharma Open the ORCID record for Shubham Sharma [Opens in a new window]  and
Prajjval Sharma Open the ORCID record for Prajjval Sharma [Opens in a new window]
Priyanka Sharma*
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India
Prem Lal Sharma
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India
Subhash Chander Verma
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India
Shikha Thakur
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India
Shubham Sharma
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India
Prajjval Sharma
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India
*
Corresponding author: Priyanka Sharma; Email: ps366502@gmail.com
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Abstract

Oenopia sauzeti (Mulsant) (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) is a highly efficient predator of sap-sucking insect pests due to its high feeding capacity and broad prey range. The present investigation was carried out to find out the feeding potential and functional response of O. sauzeti fed on different densities of Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Aphididae: Hemiptera) nymphs in the in vitro condition with the overarching objective of appraising the ladybird beetle’s potential as a distinguished biological control agent. The newly emerged coccinellid grubs of a particular stage were reared individually on Petri plates with a known number of M. euphorbiae nymphs of a particular stage. The single individual of O. sauzeti consumed 1104.53, 936.53, 634.07, and 473.20 aphids in one generation when reared on the first, second, third, and fourth instars of M. euphorbiae, respectively. The female adult of predator recorded as a more voracious feeder compared to the male adult. O. sauzeti exhibits a type II functional response against potato aphid, and a significantly negative linear coefficient was obtained after logistic regression analysis for the proportion of prey consumed (Na/N) as a function of initial prey density (N). The functional response parameters, i.e. attack rate and handling time, were estimated by applying Roger’s random predator equation. The attack rate increased, and handling time decreased with the advancement of the development stage of the predator. The voracious nature of both adults and grubs of the ladybird beetle makes this effective biocontrol agent to be used in the Integrated Pest Management Programme against the potato aphid.

Keywords

attack ratefeedinghandling timeOenopia sauzetipotato aphid

Information

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 115 , Issue 4 , August 2025 , pp. 482 - 494
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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