Predation Risk Effects of Lady Beetle Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) on the Melon Aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover.

ABSTRACT: Predation risk posed by natural enemies can alter pest performance. In our previous study, we found Menochilus sexmaculatus provides risk cues to melon aphids, resulting in increased numbers of winged aphids. However, the effects of predation risk on multiple traits including behavior, physiology, growth rate, and reproductive capacity of pests are not clear. This study examined the effects of predation risk on host preference, the activities of two important defense enzymes (CAT and SOD), longevity, and offspring production. The Y-tube trial results showed that the risk of M. sexmaculatus significantly altered the host preference of the aphids, leading to avoidance behavior. When exposed to M. sexmaculatus for a long period (24 h), the reproductive period and offsprin

SUBMITTER: Lin X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10816753 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature