Functional and numerical response of Aphidoletes apphidimyza ( Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) feeding on different densities of nymphs of cotton aphid Aphisgossypii ( Homoptera: Aphididae)


Abstract in English

The functional and numerical response of Aphidoletes aphidimyza feeding on different densities of third instar nymphs of cotton aphid Aphisg ossypii on cucumber leaves was studied in laboratory at a temperature (25 ± 2 ° C) and relative humidity of 70 %. The predator consumed 2.8 ± 0.64 nymph/day, when prey density was 5 adults. The predator consumption increased with increasing prey density. At 60 and 80 preys the predator consumed 34.2 ± 5.36 and 36.4 ± 5.72 nymph /Day consequintly. Ther was a very high significant correlation (r = 0.93) between the number of prey consumed and the density of prey, So according Holling (1959) model of functional response, we put A. aphidimyza predator under the third type (type III). The increase of prey density caused increasing in egg numbers of predator The predator laid eggs in few numbers 19 ± 4.0 eggs / female when fed on 5 prey /day, and these numbers of eggs laid by predator increased to 28.6 ± 4.48 egg/female under prey density of 10 prey /day. the increase of eggs numbers reached to 63.4 ± 6.48 egg/female when prey density was 80 prey/day so we noticed the predator oviposition increased with high prey density, and these increase caused by increase in predation efficiency and these lead to another kind of response called numerical response.

References used

ALOTAEBE, S.,Mass Production and Utilization of the Predatory Midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) for Controlling Aphids. Globle Jornal of biotechnology and biochemistry, 3, 2008, 01 – 07
BLACKMAN, R. L. and V. F. EASTOP, Aphids on the World’s Trees, an Identification And Information Guide. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 1994, 356
BLACKMAN, R. L. and V. F. EASTOP, Aphids on the Worlds Crops: an Identification Information guide. 2 ed. Wiley, London, United Kingdom,2000, 462

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