Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2011

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Plant Science

Abstract

Coccinella novemnotata Herbst is a native species of North American lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) that has come under great ecological duress over the past 30 years and experienced a significant population decline throughout its range. This species once was widely distributed across most of the United States. Its abundance and distinctiveness led to its selection as New York and New Hampshire's state insect. Several possible causes to the decline have been identified including gross habitat changes which have led to varied available food sources including preferred and nonpreferred aphids, some of which could hold great value in optimal fitness for this lady beetle. This study measured the development duration, survivorship, adult size, and reproductive parameters of C. novemnotata Herbst among various aphid diets and a Coccinella spp. (C. novemnotata and C. septempunctata L.) egg diet to enable greater mass rearing success. Experimental aphid diets included six single-species aphid diets, and five dual-species aphid diets consisting of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), Aphis craccivora Koch, Aphis glycines Matsumura, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), Schizaphis grarninum (Rondani), and Siphajlava (Forbes). Results suggest that A. pisum and dualspecies aphid diets composed of A. pisum and other aphids are the best aphid diets tested promote fitness of C. novemnotata. Interestingly, this preferred aphid is introduced and likely could not have been part of the beetles' original natural diet.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Ladybugs--Food

Coccinella--Food

Aphids

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

79

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Download

Share

COinS