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Generalist predators disrupt parasitoid aphid control by direct and coincidental intraguild predation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2011

M. Traugott ,
J.R. Bell ,
L. Raso ,
D. Sint  and
W.O.C. Symondson
M. Traugott*
Affiliation:
Cardiff School of Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK Mountain Agriculture Research Unit, Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
J.R. Bell
Affiliation:
Warwick HRI, University of Warwick, Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF, UK
L. Raso
Affiliation:
Mountain Agriculture Research Unit, Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
D. Sint
Affiliation:
Mountain Agriculture Research Unit, Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
W.O.C. Symondson
Affiliation:
Cardiff School of Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: +43 512 507 6190 E-mail: Michael.Traugott@uibk.ac.at
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Abstract

Generalist predators and parasitoids are considered to be important regulators of aphids. The former not only feed on these pests, but might also consume parasitoids at all stages of development. This direct or coincidental interference affects the natural control of aphids, the scale of which is largely unknown, and it has rarely been examined under natural conditions. Here, molecular diagnostics were used to track trophic interactions in an aphid-parasitoid-generalist predator community during the build-up of a cereal aphid population. We found that generalist predators, principally carabid and staphylinid beetles as well as linyphiid spiders, had strong trophic links to both parasitoids and aphids. Remarkably, more than 50% of the parasitoid DNA detected in predators stems from direct predation on adult parasitoids. The data also suggest that coincidental intraguild predation is common too. Generalist predators, hence, disrupt parasitoid aphid control, although the levels at which the predators feed on pests and parasitoids seem to vary significantly between predator taxa. Our results suggest that taxon-specific trophic interactions between natural enemies need to be considered to obtain a more complete understanding of the route to effective conservation biological control.

Keywords

agro-ecologypest controlconservation biological controlintraguild predationmolecular prey detection
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 102 , Issue 2 , April 2012 , pp. 239 - 247
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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