Influence of host plants on specialist / generalist aphids and on the development of Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Frédéric FRANCIS; Eric HAUBRUGE; Charles GASPAR

Influence of host plants on specialist / generalist aphids and on the development of Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

2000

Frédéric FRANCIS | Eric HAUBRUGE | Charles GASPAR

The aim of this work was to determine the impact of allelochemicals (glucosinolates/isothiocyanates) from Brassicaceae (Brassica napus and Sinapis alba) at two trophic levels in relation to biological control efficacy. The impact of these plants on aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and ladybird Adalia bipunctata (L.) biology can be assessed by observation of several developmental parameters: mortality, development duration and adult weight. Sub-lethal toxicity can also be measured through the reproductive parameters of fecundity and/or egg viability. While both specialist and generalist aphids were positively influenced by Brassicaceae species, mixed effects are recorded in ladybird performances following the aphid species/host plant combinations. Significant differences appeared according to aphid host plant and aphid species. This work enhanced the influence of Brassicaceae plants either as cultivated species (B. napus) or as set-aside (S. alba) on both pests and beneficial insects. The allelochemical presence in plants must be taken into account in programs of integrated pest management due to their direct influence on biological control agents.

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