Occurrence of coccinellids that prey on Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) on Euphorbia heterophylla (Euphorbiaceae) and Chamaecrista fasciculata (Fabaceae) in a south Florida residential area

Authors

  • Joseph M Patt USDA-ARS-U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, 2001 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34945, USA

Keywords:

Conservation biological control, Coccinellidae, nectar, extra-floral nectary, floral resources

Abstract

Summary

Adding plant-based nutritional resources to a landscape may help to recruit and retain predaceous and parasitic arthropods. As a first step in determining whether the addition of nectary plants can increase the abundance and diversity of biocontrol agents of Diaphorina citri and psyllid suppression in urban and unmanaged landscapes in southern Florida, the occurrence of coccinellids was recorded on a native poinsettia, Euphorbia heterophylla (L.) and partridge pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene, a native legume. Thirteen coccinellid species consisting of a total of 663 specimens were collected over the course of the 8-mo long sampling period. A total of 464 specimens comprising 12 species were collected from E. heterophylla from Jun to Oct, with 3 species, Coelophora inequalis, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Harmonia axyridis, comprising the majority of species collected. A total of 199 specimens comprising 6 species were collected from C. fasciculate from Sep to Feb. Nearly 80% of the specimens collected from C. fasciculata were C. montrouzieri.


Sumário

La adición de recursos nutricionales a base de plantas a un paisaje puede ayudar a reclutar y retener a los artrópodos predadores y parasitarios. Como primer paso para determinar si la adición de plantas nectarias puede aumentar la abundancia y diversidad de agentes de control biológico de Diaphorina citri y la supresión de psílidos en paisajes urbanos y no manejados en el sur de la Florida, se registró la presencia de coccinélidos en una natividad nativa, Euphorbia heterophylla L.) y perdiz, Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene, una leguminosa nativa. Trece especies de coccinelidos consistentes en un total de 663 especímenes fueron recolectadas durante el período de muestreo de 8 meses. Un total de 464 especímenes que comprenden 12 especies fueron recolectadas de E. heterophylla de jun a oct, con 3 especies, Coelophora inequalis, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Harmonia axyridis, que comprende la mayoría de las especies recogidas. Un total de 199 especímenes que comprenden 6 especies se recogieron de C. fasciculate de sep a feb. Casi el 80% de los especímenes recolectados de C. fasciculata fueron C. montrouzieri.

 

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Author Biography

Joseph M Patt, USDA-ARS-U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, 2001 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34945, USA

Research Entomologist

Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research Unit

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Published

2018-04-24

Issue

Section

Scientific Notes