Emily J. Messenger, zenemmly@yahoo.com1, Clarissa R. Mathews, cmathews@shepherd.edu1, and Mark W. Brown, mbrown@afrs.ars.usda.gov2. (1) Shepherd University, Institute for Environmental Studies, PO Box 3210, Shepherdstown, WV, (2) USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 2217 Wiltshire Rd, Kearneysville, WV
H. axyridis have been shown to be a key natural enemy of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Mid-Atlantic agricultural systems and also use extrafloral resources. This study investigated if H. axyridis display feeding preference for extrafloral nectar from four P. persica cultivars in order to determine if one cultivar may have applications for enhancing aphid control by H. axyridis. H. axyridis feeding choice was evaluated under laboratory conditions, using a still air assay system with overwintered beetles (twenty replicates). H. axyridis showed no preference for one cultivar over another, but females engaged in making a choice significantly more frequently than males. The results suggest that females emerging in spring may use extrafloral nectar more than males.
Species 1: Coleoptera Coccinellidae
Harmonia axyridis (Multicolored Asian lady beetle)
Species 2: Rosales Rosaceae
Prunus persica (Peach)
Keywords: Biological control, Extrafloral resources