title: Biology and potentiality in biological control of Micraspis discolor (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).
abstract: Hosts influence on growth duration and abundance of coccinellid predators. Micraspis discolor (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) has been well known as both carnivorous and pollinivorous. Work was carried out as a series of laboratory-based influence of host species Aphis gossypii (Clover) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and green rice leafhopper, Nephotettix sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on M. discolors development and effect of rice growth stage on M. discolor adult preference. For field study, population of M. discolor was monitored in the rice fields throughout rice growing season for study on the relative abundance between M. discolor and hopper insects in each stage of rice growth. Results demonstrated that Nephotettix sp. was more suitably for larval growth of M. discolor than A. gossypii, with faster development time and higher larval survival. Regardless of host species, 4th larval instars were the most voracious. For feeding preference, results indicated the general preference by M. discolors adult for rice with pollen (reproductive stage) over rice without pollen (vegetative stage). In addition, female coccinellid showed feeding preference on rice pollen more than male. Consistent with the results of rice growth stage preference of adult, highest population abundance of M. discolor was found at reproductive stage of rice growth. All stages of M. discolor inhabited in rice fields, with the dominant group of adults. However, fluctuation pattern of M. discolor population synchronized with hopper insects in rice fields, population abundances of M. discolor did not related to population abundance of hopper insects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science, Southern Tropical Plants Research Unit, Faculty of Technology and Community Development, Thaksin University, Phatthalung Campus, Phatthalung 93110, Thailand. rwigunda@tsu.ac.th
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rattanapun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000254:growth & development; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000254:growth & development*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012275:Oryza / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011058:Pollen / Q000254:growth & development; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012098:Reproduction; D012621:Seasons; D013045:Species Specificity; D013785:Thailand