Light Intensity Modulates Locomotor Behavior and Predation in Different Color Morphs of the Harlequin Ladybird, <i>Harmonia axyridis</i>.

ABSTRACT: Light is a fundamental ecological cue for insects, influencing physiological rhythms and behavior. We investigated how varying light intensities affect locomotion and foraging in H. axyridis color morphs, and examined the role of visual opsins. Three adult female morphs were assayed under white light at 1000, 5000, and 10,000 lx. Higher light intensity significantly elevated body temperature and locomotor activity across morphs, with the inherently dark f. conspicua morph exhibiting the greatest increases. Predation rates on pea aphids trended upward with intensity but differed significantly by morph: f. conspicua beetles consistently consumed more prey than f. succinea. RNAi knockdown of the UV-sensitive opsin HaUVSop-2 significantly reduced the crawling

SUBMITTER: Wang XX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12733748 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature