DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR OF THE LONGTAILED MEALYBUG PSEUDOCOCCUS LONGISPINUS (TARGIONI TOZZETTI) (HEMIPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) AGAINST THE BROWN LACEWING SYMPHEROBIUS FALLAX NAVAS (NEUROPTERA: HEMEROBIIDAE).

Authors

  • W.A. Gillani University of London, Ashford, Kent, TN25 5AH
  • M.J.W. Copland University of London, Ashford, Kent, TN25 5AH

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15162/0425-1016/847

Abstract

DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR OF THE LONGTAILED MEALYBUG PSEUDOCOCCUS LONGISPINUS (TARGIONI TOZZETTI) (HEMIPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) AGAINST THE BROWN LACEWING SYMPHEROBIUS FALLAX NAVAS (NEUROPTERA: HEMEROBIIDAE).

The defensive tactics of 2nd- and 3rd-instar nymphal and adult Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) against larval Sympherobius fallax Navas were studied. When attacked by 1st- and 2nd-instar predators, these three mealybug stages were able to secrete ostiolar fluids which spread and hardened on the mouthparts of the predators; 1st-instar mealybugs appeared to be unable to secrete ostiolar fluids. Adult mealybugs also successfully defended themselves against 1st-instar predators by simply pushing them away with their cerarial wax fringe. Of the lacewing stages, 3rd-instar S. fallax larvae were the most successful at overcoming the defense tactics of P. longispinus.

Key words: lacewings, Chrysopidae, Chrysoperla carnea, behavioural defence, morphological defence, potato sprouts, haemolymph.

Author Biographies

W.A. Gillani, University of London, Ashford, Kent, TN25 5AH

Wye College

Ricercatore

M.J.W. Copland, University of London, Ashford, Kent, TN25 5AH

Wye College

Ricercatore

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Published

2016-12-15

Issue

Vol. 33 (1999)

Section

Articoli