Monday, December 10, 2007
D0071

Suitability of greenbugs (Schizaphis graminum) parasitized by Lysiphlebus testaceipes for the development and survival of the convergent ladybeetle (Hippodamia convergens)

Kody Mullins, kody.mullins@okstate.edu, Oklahoma State University, Entomology and Plan Pathology, 127 Noble Research Center, Stillwater, OK and Kris Giles, kgiles@okstate.edu, Oklahoma State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 127 NRC, Stillwater, OK.

The wasp, Lysiphlebus testaceipes, an endoparasitoid of greenbugs, Schizaphis graminum, constitutes part of an aphidophagous guild in a winter wheat system along with the predator Hippodamia convergens. This ladybeetle shows no preference for unparasitized greenbugs and will consume the larvae of L. testaceipes within its aphid host. The suitability of these parasitized aphids for the development and survival of H. convergens larvae was tested using different stages of both predator and parasitoid development. Examining the suitability of greenbugs parasitized by L. testaceipes at various stages for the development of the coccinellid larvae may provide insights on the IGP dynamics that take place in the field. Studies on the interactions between aphidophagous parasitoids and predators are needed also to increase our understanding of the effects that this complex has on aphid pest reduction as well as to understand the non-additive effects in terms of biological control.


Species 1: Hemiptera Aphididae Schizaphis graminum (greenbug)
Species 2: Hymenoptera Braconidae Lysiphlebus testaceipes
Species 3: Coleoptera Coccinellidae Hippodamia convergens (convergent lady beetle)