title: Functional Response of the Predators Alloeocranum biannulipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and Teretrius nigrescens (Coleoptera: Histeridae) Feeding on Dinoderus porcellus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) Infesting Yam Chips.
abstract: The functional response and some predation parameters of the predators Alloeocranum biannulipes Montrouzier & Signoret (Hemiptera: Reduviidea) and Teretrius nigrescens Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae) were evaluated at five different densities of larvae and pupae of Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) with the aim to understand their roles in the biological control of this major pest of stored yam chips. Experiments were performed in petri dishes at 25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 10% RH, and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h in a controlled temperature room. Both predators showed Type II of functional response with respect to larvae, determined by a logistic regression model. However, T. nigrescens significantly killed more larvae of D. porcellus compared with A. biannulipes. This behavior, however, changed to a linear functional response (Type I), when pupae of D. porcellus were offered to both predators, possibly because of their immobility. In addition, there was no significant difference between T. nigrescens and A. biannulipes in terms of the killed pupae. Parameters of the Holling disc equation for both predators were estimated. Estimated handling time on larvae of D. porcellus for T. nigrescens and A. biannulipes was 0.254 and 0.677 h and the rate of searching efficiency was 0.289 and 0.348 h-1, respectively. Results indicated that T. nigrescens was a more suitable candidate for augmentative release for D. porcellus control than A. biannulipes. However, semifield studies are required to draw firm conclusions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biotechnology, Genetic Resources and Plant and Animal Breeding (BIORAVE), Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Dassa, Polytechnic University of Abomey, BP 14, Dassa, Benin (lokoestelle@yahoo.fr; adansi2001@gmail.com).
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Loko
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin BP 123 (d.lavenirdjagoun@yahoo.fr; eliedannon@yahoo.com; aaodjo@yahoo.fr).
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Djagoun
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin BP 123 (d.lavenirdjagoun@yahoo.fr; eliedannon@yahoo.com; aaodjo@yahoo.fr).|International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cotonou, Benin 08, BP 0932 (b.datinon@cgiar.org; m.tamo@cgiar.org).
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Dannon
authors.affiliation: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cotonou, Benin 08, BP 0932 (b.datinon@cgiar.org; m.tamo@cgiar.org).
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Datinon
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biotechnology, Genetic Resources and Plant and Animal Breeding (BIORAVE), Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Dassa, Polytechnic University of Abomey, BP 14, Dassa, Benin (lokoestelle@yahoo.fr; adansi2001@gmail.com).
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dansi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin BP 123 (d.lavenirdjagoun@yahoo.fr; eliedannon@yahoo.com; aaodjo@yahoo.fr).
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Thomas-Odjo
authors.affiliation: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cotonou, Benin 08, BP 0932 (b.datinon@cgiar.org; m.tamo@cgiar.org).
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tamo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D027742:Dioscorea; D020387:Food Chain; D061353:Food Storage; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011156:Population Density; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D011679:Pupa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D020064:Reduviidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D000067075:Vegetable Products
keywords: Alloeocranum biannulipes; Dinoderus porcellus; Teretrius nigrescens; functional response; predation