Predation of Spissistilus festinus (Homoptera:Membracidae) Nymphs by Hemipteran Predators in the Presence of Alternative Prey
Abstract
The feeding preferences of Geocoris punctipes (Say) and Nabis roseipennis Reuter were studied in the laboratory. Female adult predators were exposed for 24h to three Spissistilus festinus (Say) nymphal densities and two Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) larval densities. Feeding responses of the predators when exposed to second and third S. festinus nymphal stages and second instar P. includens and/or Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) as a food choice also were studied. Predation of S. festinus nymphs by G. punctipes and N. roseipennis did not differ significantly in the presence of P. includens and/or H. zea larvae as alternative prey. Geocoris punctipes and N. roseipennis caused mortality of S. festinus nymphs of 33 to 83% and 33 to 100%, respectively, even in the presence of the lepidopterous larvae.Downloads
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