A common insect predator, Podisus maculiventris, is known to feed on over 50 species of prey species. We conducted laboratory feeding studies on predation, prey preference and reproduction of this generalist predator using different prey species. The prey species included the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) and the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Preliminary results indicate that the beet armyworm seemed to be a preferred prey compared to the other species. Fecundity of the predator fed different prey species were measured and currently being analyzed. Field studies involved collecting P. maculiventris adults in woody areas and grape vineyards using pheromone traps. A comparison of body weights of field-collected and laboratory-reared P. maculiventris seemed to indicate low predation rates of this predator under field conditions. These results seem to provide additional evidence that P. maculiventris are adapted to low prey conditions.
Species 1: Heteroptera Pentatomidae Podisus maculiventris (spined soldier bug)
Species 2: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Spodoptera exigua (beet armyworm)
Species 3: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm)
Keywords: field collections, fecundity
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